Los Cabos: Cameron Norrie eye on third ATP Tour title of 2022
Defending champion Cameron Norrie set up a clash with world number one Daniil Medvedev in the Abierto de Tenis Mifel final with victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The British number one battled to a 6-4 3-6 6-3 victory over the Canadian second seed in two hours and 19 minutes in the second semi-final in Los Cabos, Mexico.
Norrie’s success, his first over Auger-Aliassime in five meetings, kept the third seed on course for a third ATP Tour title this year.
https://twitter.com/atptour/status/1555793087980572673
He will now face Medvedev, who saw off fourth seed Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6 6-1 to guarantee top spot in the world rankings until at least the end of the US Open next month.
Norrie told reporters: “You always want to defend the title but it is complicated. The start was difficult but I played very well after losing the second set.
“I try to play in my best level and it is incredible to return to the final. I love playing in Mexico.
“Especially winning last year, you want to come out and win the title, but [I’ve just] taken it one match at a time,” said Norrie after clinching his first win over the Canadian in five attempts. “It was a tough task at the beginning of the tournament and I got through a couple of matches.
“ [Against] Felix today it was looking really tough, so I was really pleased with how I handled that today, especially after losing that second set.”
Medvedev has also guaranteed his stay at the summit of the ATP Rankings until at least the end of the US Open by reaching the final.
Novak Djokovic’s agony needs to end and a US Open verdict needs to be delivered
The rankings top dog was taken to a first set tiebreak in which he blanked Kecmanovic before going on to claim the second set 6-1.
He was happy with his game in what he described as a tough match.
“Very tough match,” Medvedev said in his on-court interview. “He started great and all the first set was a great level. So many tough points, so many points where I felt like I was close to getting the edge. The tie-break was great.”
Medvedev even managed to impress himself to the extent that he asked the crowd to acknowledge him.
“I’m not the kind of guy to ask [for the crowd to cheer] like this,” he said with a laugh as he reflected on the moment. “I made a great point, so I thought, ‘This one was good, let’s try to pump it up a little bit.'”
Latest
-
ATP TourPablo Carreno Busta joins the ranks of Masters champions after Montreal fightback
Pablo Carreno Busta is a Masters champion and makes a serious move in the Race to Turin.
-
WTA TourExclusive – Laura Robson leaps to the defence of Emma Raducanu
Former British No 1 Laura Robson is baffled by the inflated expectations Emma Raducanu.
-
ATP TourExclusive – Tim Henman backs Andy Murray to defy his doubters once again
Former British No 1 Henman suggests Murray wins against top players over the last year will encourage him to fight on.
-
WTA TourSimona Halep wins ding-dong battle to claim third Canadian Open title
Halep extended her impressive wins record at WTA 1000 events moving out to 185 matches won in the flagship events.
-
Tennis FeaturesWhat Novak Djokovic eats in a typical day
Novak Djokovic has revealed exactly what it is that he eats in a typical day.
-
-
WTA TourSimona Halep to return to top ten after reaching Toronto final
Simona Halep and Beatriz Haddad Maia will battle it out for the Toronto Masters title.
-
ATP TourDan Evans battles bravely but Pablo Carreno Busta sets Hubert Hurkacz showdown
The British number two was eventually outlasted 7-5 6-7 6-2 across two hours and 58 minutes.
-
ATP TourAndy Murray gets Cinccinati boost, but handed tricky opener against old foe with Cameron Norrie also lurking
Andy Murray handed tough assignment in Cincinnati.
-
ATP TourDan Evans vs Pablo Carreno Busta: How to watch Montreal semis as Evans looks to sneak into ATP top 20
A quick lowdown on the Canadian Masters semi-final and possible ATP Ranking changes.