Miami Open: Cameron Norrie made to sweat to see off Jack Draper

ATP Tour
Cameron Norrie

British No 1 Cameron Norrie had to dig deep to overcome big-serving compatriot Jack Draper in the second round of the Miami Open.

Norrie maintained his own gameplan despite the pressure he was under from Draper’s power game.

The Delray Beach Champion has been in handy form this season so far and reached the last eigh at Indian Wells last week.

Draper meanwhile was coming into the match high on confidence after claiming a big win over Gilles Simon to set up the meeting.

Norrie would settle quicker and surged to a 5-2 lead early.

Draper, however, kept his focus and took advantage of an uncharacteristic lapse on serve from the 10th seed to level at 5-5.

Norrie also made the early running in the tie-break, however, and this time gave nothing away as he converted his third set point to edge ahead.

The second set fell into a similar pattern.

Draper hit the ball powerfully throughout and kept Norrie on his toes.

Norrie was still able to find a way to navigate his way through the trickier moments, most notably saving two break points to hold in the second game.

A break midway through the second set was enough to secure Norrie victory in a tight encounter where his more impressive service numbers were key.

Norrie won 76 per cent (31/41) of points behind his first delivery, according to the official match stats.

The win extends Norrie’s ATP Tour head to head lead over Draper to 2-0.

The pair met at the Queen’s Club in 2021, where Norrie claimed victory in straight sets, but despite another defeat, the World No 145 ranked Draper should feel his performance in Miami is proof that he is developing as a player.

Norrie will face either Hugo Gaston or 2018 champion John Isner in the third round when he will big for a career-best performance in Miami.

He reached the third round of the Miami Open for the first time in 2021 before falling to Taylor Fritz in three sets.

Cameron Norrie

Latest