‘It’s cool to have something extra to play for,’ says Cameron Norrie after keeping ATP Finals hopes alive

British No 1 Cameron Norrie boosted his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals with victory over Reilly Opelka in the second round of the Rolex Paris Masters.
Norrie, who dropped just three games in beating Argentina’s Federico Delbonis on Monday, overcame his big-serving opponent 6-3, 6-4 in 73 minutes and faces another American, Taylor Fritz, in the last 16.
It was Norrie’s 101st tour-level win, 50 of which have come this year.
Win #50 for @cam_norrie 👏
The Brit defeats Opelka 6-3 6-4 to move into the round of 16!
🎥: @TennisTV | #RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/fn83AgJ69B
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 3, 2021
The 26-year-old, who recovered from 3-1 down in the second set, told Amazon Prime Video: “Reilly’s a great player and he’s really tough to play against.
“He can play really aggressive at times and he can lock it down and make a lot of balls and then obviously with his serve it’s difficult, but I managed to put some returns in at the right times and chip on my forehand side and I was just happy to get through it at the end.”
Norrie sits 11th in the race to qualify for the eight-man, season-ending tournament in Turin and needs to make up 140 points on Italian Jannik Sinner over the next two weeks.
“I’m watching all the matches and I think everyone else is as well,” added Norrie, who claimed the biggest title of his career in Indian Wells last month. “It’s cool to have something extra to play for.”
Fritz is on 🔥 🔥 @Taylor_Fritz97 gets his third straight win over a Top-10 opponent by defeating Rublev 7-5 7-6(2) 👏
🎥: @TennisTV | #RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/i5FSYQIcAk
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 3, 2021
Norrie holds a 4-3 career record against Fritz and the winner of their last-16 clash could face world number one Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
“I’ve played him a lot in my career, I think the most of anyone, so we both know each other’s games very well,” Norrie added. “He’s extremely confident, had a final last week (in St Petersburg) and has beaten two good opponents this week.
“When he’s confident he’s very, very dangerous so I’m going to have to watch out for him. He too has a good serve so I’m going to have to return well and play the big points very well.”
Latest
-
Australian Open
John McEnroe on rumours Rafael Nadal may be contemplating retirement
Tennis legend John McEnroe comments on the rumours Rafael Nadal may be set to retire.
-
Australian Open
John McEnroe enters the debate on Novak Djokovic’s hamstring injury
Tennis legend John McEnroe has admitted he is confused by Novak Djokovic’s hamstring problem at the Australian Open.
-
Grand Slam
Jelena Dokic blasts body-shaming trolls over offensive social media commentary
Jelena Dokic takes a stand against trolls.
-
Australian Open
Victoria Azarenka confesses Australian Open controversy has taken a decade to overcome
The Belarusian defeated Jessica Pegula 6-4 6-1 to reach the semi-finals again.
-
Australian Open
Jessica Pegula has no time to cry as she bids for doubles glory
Jessica Pegula turns her attention to teaming with Coco Gauff in pursuit of doubles glory.
-
News
Australian Open day nine wrap: Stefanos Tsitsipas tees up Karen Khachanov showdown
The story of the ninth day of action from Melbourne Park.
-
Australian Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas continues clutch run at the Australian Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas had to play his heart out to continue his Australian Open run.
-
Australian Open
Who is Stefanos Tsitsipas’ girlfriend Theodora Petalas?
Theodora Petalas and Stefanos Tsitsipas fell in love quickly after meeting in New York.
-
Tennis News
‘Soccer mom’ Victoria Azarenka on her love for PSG ‘since the Beckham days’ and her son’s football dreams
What is the story behind Victoria Azarenka’s support for PSG?
-
Australian Open
Victoria Azarenka plays lights out tennis to beat Jessica Pegula – ‘I knew from the first point I had to bring it’
Victoria Azarenka sets up Elena Rybakina semi-final at Australian Open.