admin
Cameron Norrie secured his first win at the Monte Carlo Masters in seven years and began his clay-court season on a perfect note, defeating Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7-0) in the first round earlier today.
The 30-year-old, who had not won on the French Riviera since 2019, began the match with a convincing first set, winning both of his break points while saving four against the Serbian.
However, Norrie struggled in the second, dropping serve three times, including in his final two service games, as Kecmanovic forced the match into a third and deciding set under the sun in Monaco.
Despite coming under pressure when serving to force a tie-break in the third, the British number one – currently ranked 24th in the world, one spot ahead of Jack Draper – rose to the occasion in the contest, sweeping the break with a thumping 7-0.
Norrie, the only Brit to be competing in this year’s tournament after Jack Draper pulled out last week, will face world number six Alex de Minaur in the second round and he has fond memories of defeating the Australian, whom he beat in Indian Wells last month to reach the quarter-finals.
While that match is set to be played on Tuesday, 7 April, the duo will be in action together on Monday (6 April) as they team up in the doubles contest, taking on Italian pair Matteo Berttini and Andrea Vavassori in the round of 32.
