Cameron Norrie edged past Luca Van Assche 6-3 3-6 6-1 in 1 hour and 52 minutes to reach the quarter final at the Moselle Open indoor court tournament in Metz.
Norrie converted his third break point in the eighth game of the second set to take a 5-3 lead. The British player served out on his second set point. Norrie earned two breaks in the second and sixth games and wrapped up the win on his first match point.
Norrie avenged his three-set loss against Van Assche on the Challenger Tour in Roanne last month. Norrie has scored back-to-back wins on the ATP Tour since Wimbledon last July. The British player was sidelined from the Olympic Games and the US Open by an injury.
“I am just trying to enjoy the last week of the year for me competing. I am here another day, which is great, but I will have to improve to keep going further in the tournament”,said Norrie.
Norrie converted three of six points he earned. The British player set up a quarter final match against Zizou Bergs, who beat Hugo Gaston 6-4 7-5.
“Luca and I played a couple of week ago in Roanne in a Challenger and he got last time, so it was nice to face him again and have the chance to get revenge. I have a lot of respect for him. He is so tough to play and I had to really serve well and come up with some really good stuff to get a break, especially in the third set. Then I managed to hold my nerve and serve it out, but a lot of credit to Luca and compete the way he did”, said Norrie.
Quentin Halys overcame his compatriot Pierre Hughes Herbert 6-1 4-6 6-4 setting up a quarter final against Benjamin Bonzi, who upset Casper Ruud 6-4 6-4. Bonzi won 85% of his first serve points. Bonzi will play in his first quarter final since February 2023.
