British No 1 Cameron Norrie needed to dig deep to beat big-serving compatriot Jack Draper within the second spherical of the Miami Open.
Norrie maintained his personal gameplan regardless of the strain he was underneath from Draper’s energy recreation.
The Delray Seaside Champion has been in helpful type this season up to now and reached the final eigh at Indian Wells final week.
Staying within the successful groove 🤘
No.10 seed @cam_norrie sees off compatriot Draper 7-6(5) 6-4 to maneuver into R3 in Miami#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/LfoSLDliZL
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 25, 2022
Draper in the meantime was coming into the match excessive on confidence after claiming a giant win over Gilles Simon to arrange the assembly.
Norrie would settle faster and surged to a 5-2 lead early.
Draper, nevertheless, saved his focus and took benefit of an uncharacteristic lapse on serve from the tenth seed to degree at 5-5.
Norrie additionally made the early operating within the tie-break, nevertheless, and this time gave nothing away as he transformed his third set level to edge forward.
The second set fell into an analogous sample.
Draper hit the ball powerfully all through and saved Norrie on his toes.
Norrie was nonetheless capable of finding a option to navigate his approach by the trickier moments, most notably saving two break factors to carry within the second recreation.
A break halfway by the second set was sufficient to safe Norrie victory in a good encounter the place his extra spectacular service numbers have been key.
Norrie received 76 per cent (31/41) of factors behind his first supply, based on the official match stats.
The win extends Norrie’s ATP Tour face to face lead over Draper to 2-0.
The pair met on the Queen’s Membership in 2021, the place Norrie claimed victory in straight units, however regardless of one other defeat, the World No 145 ranked Draper ought to really feel his efficiency in Miami is proof that he’s growing as a participant.
Norrie will face both Hugo Gaston or 2018 champion John Isner within the third spherical when he’ll large for a career-best efficiency in Miami.
He reached the third spherical of the Miami Open for the primary time in 2021 earlier than falling to Taylor Fritz in three units.