Cameron Norrie in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open, ATP Indian Wells 2018
Photo by MIKE NELSON/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock | Cameron Norrie in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open, ATP Indian Wells 2018

Cameron Norrie defeated in second round of Estoril Open

By Jake Davies

  • Roberto Carballes Baena defeats Cameron Norrie 5-7 6-2 7-6(1)
ESTORIL, PORTUGAL – Cameron Norrie succumbed to a dogged Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena in a three-set heart breaker.

 

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Roberto Carballes Baena def. Cameron Norrie 5-7 6-2 7-6(1)

Cameron Norrie moved into this week hoping for important match-play on the clay and he started it with a stunning win over Top 50 player Robin Haase, but failed to follow it up with, what would have been, an impressive scalp against the World No.77.

Norrie’s match started off as well as he could have hoped for as he broke the Roberto Carballes Baena‘s serve on two occasions to take the opening set. After dropping the second set comfortably, Norrie soon charged towards a 5-2 lead in the third set and looked on the brink of another memorable win.

He served for the match at 5-3 and held three match points at 5-4 in the third set but could not get over the line to score the win. Norrie had edged most of the set in truth, but once he saw the match slip out of his grasp he could not maintain that level and ended up losing the match in a thirdset tiebreak.

This feels like a result that Norrie will have to try to brush off as quickly as possible. He had his moments and perhaps should have prevailed with the win, but he has still shown positive signs and steps in the right direction this week.

Carballes Baena is a tough competitor to overcome as he makes you earn your points without fail and his competitive streak helped him progress at the expense of Norrie in the end.

A first ATP main draw win on the clay and one point away from a first ATP quarter-final. These are very good reasons for Norrie to be optimistic about the future.

Main Image: Photo by MIKE NELSON/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock 

 

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