Tennis | ATP Metz 2024 | Norrie edges past Carballes Baena in fiery encounter, takes on Dimitrov next

11/05/2024 01:59 PM

By Tony Fairbairn

• Cameron Norrie def Roberto Carballes Baena 3-6 6-4 6-3
• Norrie v Grigor Dimitrov [3] | H2H: Norrie leads 2-1

METZ, FRANCE – Cameron Norrie earned his first win on the ATP tour for three and a half months after a fiery win over Roberto Carballes Baena to set up a second round clash with Grigor Dimitrov.

Cameron Norrie def Roberto Carballes Baena 3-6 6-4 6-3

Cameron Norrie claimed his first win on the ATP tour since Bastad in mid-July after a three set win over Roberto Carballes Baena in Metz. The encounter was a tight contest which Norrie came back from a set and a break down to claim victory but ended with the duo participating in a fiery confrontation after the match. It was an encouraging start from Norrie as he worked the forehand to produce early winners and come out of tight service games.

However as has been the case this season some costly unforced errors cost the British number two as he was broken in the sixth game. The aggressive Spaniard has been in some decent form lately and proved that with some consistent shot-making from the baseline. There were no problems on serve for the world number 56, wrapping up the first set in 36 minutes with some big serving.

Things went from bad to worse in the second set for Norrie with Carballes Baena creating some creative patterns of play to expose Norrie's court positioning. A forehand volley into the net on break point down summed up the Brit's evening and he now faced a set and a break deficit. There was an immediate response from Norrie though as he played his best tennis with his back against the wall and he broke back to love for 3-3.

As the set went on the rallies got longer with both players entering their most consistent period of the match. Some crucial net play managed to give Norrie some confidence as he looked to be the more proactive player. The risk-taking from Norrie paid off as a forehand winner sealed the crucial break in the tenth game and this match was heading towards a deciding set.

In the final set both players were looking to attack the net and it was Carballes Baena who drew first blood as he broke in the fifth game with Norrie placing a volley into the net. Just like in the second set there was an immediate response from the Brit as he drew the unforced errors from the Spaniard's game to level the set at 3-3. The momentum was with Norrie as more unforced errors from Carballes Baena saw Norrie with the opportunity to serve for the match.

Norrie served for the match successfully to book a place in the second round but the drama was not finished. That's because Carballes Baena fiercely confronted the Brit after Norrie said 'Vamos' a couple of times in a tense exchange but Norrie won't care too much as he is into the next round.

Cameron Norrie v Grigor Dimitrov [3] H2H & Match Fundamentals

Norrie now faces third seed Grigor Dimitrov for a place in the quarter-finals.

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)

Norrie will need to be more consistently aggressive against an in-form opponent like Dimitrov as the two players get set for a fourth career meeting.

Playing Styles and Prediction

The world number ten has had another consistent good season which put him in touching distance of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals. However Dimitrov will look to build confidence this week as he is the first alternate for Turin and will aim for some momentum heading into the 2025 season.

Norrie will use depth to pin Dimitrov behind the baseline while the Bulgarian will use his serving to put the Brit under pressure. This will be a tough match for the British number two and if he continues to produce careless unforced errors then Dimitrov will no have problems in punishing the Brit's lack of confidence and form.

Prediction: Dimitrov in straight sets.    

How to Watch/Follow ATP Metz 2024

The post Tennis | ATP Metz 2024 | Norrie edges past Carballes Baena in fiery encounter, takes on Dimitrov next appeared first on Britwatch Sports.