Liam Broady surprised by what he saw from Cam Norrie during his victory over Alex de Minaur at Indian Wells
Cameron Norrie produced one of many largest upsets on the ATP Tour this 12 months by beating Alex de Minaur on Monday.
Norriethe world quantity 27, beat De Minaur 6-4, 6-4in Indian Wells and now you will have an enormous alternative to achieve the quarter-finals.
The British quantity two, who received the Californian title in 2021, will play world quantity 117 Rinky Hijikata in spherical 4. Hijikata, from Australia, triggered one other upset by beating Alexander Bublik in spherical three.
If you have been in control of tennis, what is the primary rule you’d change?
Norrie was notably clutch down the stretch in opposition to De Minaur. After surrendering one alternative to serve for the match, the stress was on the British star’s shoulders heading into the ultimate sport at 5-4.
However, Norrie maintained his composure to see out the competition, and British participant Liam Broady was left surprised by the way in which through which Norrie did so.
Liam Broady was surprised by Cameron Norrie’s volleying in opposition to Alex de Minaur
Norrie, who’s famend for being extra of a counter-puncher, produced some wonderful attacking tennis to beat De Minaur on Monday.
The 30-year-old was in scintillating kind when approaching the web, profitable 17 of his 19 internet factors.
This explicit ingredient of his efficiency was recognized by Jonathan Overend and Liam Broady, who have been each fast to bathe Norrie with reward after the match.
Overend started the dialogue by praising Norrie’s composure when closing out the match. The British star, who might take the British primary spot from Jack Draper this week, produced two very good volleys in his closing service sport to shut out the match.
“We were on the edge of our seats, weren’t we, Liam?” Overend stated during Sky Sports’ reside protection. “What a terrific all-round performance but particularly the finish under pressure.
“He’s just dropped his serve the first time he served for the match to keep it together and then play two of his best points right the end.”
Liam Broady, the previous world 93, continued to sing Norrie’s praises, once more specializing in Norrie’s internet play.
“So good, yeah” he stated. “And I think we pointed out a second ago as well: for Cam to have gone 17 out of 19 points, that the net is an incredible stat for anyone on tour, let alone Cam Norrie, who’s really renowned for being an aggressive counter-puncher.
Cameron Norrie’s Indian Wells path…
- Fourth Round: Rinky Hijikata
- Quarter-finals: Carlos Alcaraz / Casper Ruud
- Semi-finals: Novak Djokovic / Jack Draper / Daniil Medvedev / Alex Michelsen
- Final: Jannik Sinner / Alexander Zverev
“And when it came down to it, right at the death of the match, he’s closed out with two fantastic backhand volleys that were reminiscent of Roger Federer in his prime almost.”
Overend continued: “And the approach shots as well were really accurate. It was almost like the way De Minaur would play that point. He was on the other side of the net.
“I imply, that was a dismantling of among the best gamers on this planet. And Cam Norrie is actually a participant who now has a variety of big-name scalps on his CV.
“Considering where he was last year, Liam, in the clay court season, down just outside 90 in the world, to get back to this level, what an effort.”
Broady concluded the dialogue by expressing his shock relating to Norrie’s stage of play at the web.
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He stated: “Yeah, it’s incredible. And he’s made Alex de Minaur look, you know, distinctly average today. Of course, de Minaur came out with some fantastic tennis, but Cam really looks like he’s trying his hardest to be more aggressive out there. There’s times perhaps in the past where he’s waited for opponents to miss.
“He’s seeking to stand up there at each alternative and volleying surprisingly effectively. I did not know Cam volleyed in addition to he does and I’m positive he’ll be happy with that efficiency at the moment, dominating with the forehand, backhand via the court docket and getting as much as the web.”
How can Cameron Norrie become British number one?
Before the tournament began, Cameron Norrie was sat above Jack Draper in the ATP live rankings – as Draper had yet to defend any of his 1000 Indian Wells points.
If Norrie is to finish the tournament ranked higher than Draper, he must go one round further than his compatriot.
There is every chance that Norrie could do so. While Norrie faces a player ranked outside the top 100 in the fourth round, Draper faces five-time Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic.
Of course, if both Draper and Norrie advance to the quarter-finals, Norrie would be unlikely to take the British number one spot from Draper. After all, Norrie would most probably play Carlos Alcaraz in the last eight.
However, Norrie would certainly have more than a puncher’s chance if he were to play Alcaraz. The British star has a 3-5 record against the Spaniard and beat him of their final match at the 2025 Paris Masters.
