Cameron Norrie beat Japan’s Taro Daniel 6-7(5) 7-5 6-2 to reach the last 16 at Indian Wells on Sunday evening.
Norrie had reached this stage after a comfortable 6-2 6-4 victory over Taiwanese opponent Wu Tung-lin, while Daniel had done well in his round-of-64 match to battle past experienced Italian, and No. 20 seed, Matteo Berrettini 7-6(5) 0-6 6-3.
Daniel had two break points in the first set but was only able to hold onto one of them, while Norrie managed to force, and take, just one.
It was the No. 10 seed who was initially dominant on serve, sending down four aces in the first set, but Daniel managed three of his own in response.
Neither player could break free of the other until the tie-break decided the first set and went 7-5 in Daniel’s favour.
Daniel built on his momentum as he quickly broke Norrie in the second set and moved 3-0 clear to threaten to race away with the tie, with the 30-year-old world No. 103 looking for just his second career title, having won the Istanbul Open back in 2018.
Norrie, however, pulled off a break of his own to battle back to 4-3 behind, and then level at 4-4, and in with a chance of at least forcing a decisive third set, and he then pushed on to win the second set 7-5.
Norrie settled himself and finished with seven break points won with 11 aces, and his next match will be in the last 16, which begins on Tuesday.
In another early match, third seed Casper Ruud suffered a shock straight-sets, 6-4 7-6(2), victory to Cristian Garin as he slumped out of the tournament as one of the favourites.
Highlights: Garin stuns third seed Ruud in straight-sets victory at Indian Wells
– – –
Read the full article here
