Paris Masters 2021 - Cameron Norrie beats American Reilly Opelka in straight sets to advance into the third round
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Updated 03/11/2021 at 18:31 GMT
British number one Cameron Norrie continued his fine run of form by beating American Reilly Opelka in straight sets to reach the third round of the Paris Masters. Norrie rushed to a one-set lead before recovering from a break down in the second to take the match. He is looking for his second consecutive Masters 1000 title after winning in Indian Wells.
Highlights: Norrie eases past Opelka to reach third round in Paris
Cameron Norrie has advanced to the third round of the Paris Masters after beating American Reilly Opelka 6-3, 6-4.
The British number one - who raced past Federico Delbonis in the first round - is in the form of his life and continued in kind on Wednesday afternoon as he blitzed past Opelka too.
The win keeps alive Norrie's hopes of qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin. He is battling with Casper Ruud, Jannik Sinner, Hubert Hurkacz for the last two qualifying spots with just one tournament remaining next week in Stockholm.
“I really want to make the top eight and be playing, competing,” said Norrie. “There’s only two spots for basically the four of us, so I think it adds another element, and I really like that.
"Even to be in the conversation even this late in the year, means a lot to me and shows that I have made some improvements this year in my game… I want to play and I want to keep pushing and I want to give everything I've got and try and make that event.”
Norrie and Opelka stayed on serve in the first six games of the match before the Brit reeled off three in a row and grabbed a break to go one set up.
And the Indian Wells champion almost broke at the start of the second before Opelka held on, and the Brit was forced to save a break point himself in the second before holding serve.
That game gave Opelka a boost of confidence and the American, after holding, took the upper hand by breaking Norrie's serve to go 3-1 up.
But true to form the Briton bounced back and reeled off two breaks of serve inside four consecutive games as Opelka struggled to deal with his intensity.
Opelka kept his hopes alive by holding serve but Norrie served out the match and booked his spot in the third round.
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