[Aileen]

I haven't had the time to do a proper intro but I don't think there's much I can say about this match anyway. 

However, and quoting mainly from Norrie's wikipedia, Norrie, who plays left-handed with a double-handed backhand, was born in South Africa in August 1995 to a Scottish father and a Welsh mother. Three years later, following a burglary, the family moved to New Zealand, where Norrie played tennis, squash, rugby, football, and cricket, finally concentrating on tennis at fifteen, and as a result moved to the UK where he trained for three years at the National Tennis Centre in London, during which time he switched his allegiance from New Zealand to Great Britain.   He then moved to America, studying sociology on a scholarship at Texas Christian University (TCU) and joined the Horned Frogs university team, where he became the top-ranked male college tennis player in the US, being the first time that TCU had such an honour.  In addition, Norrie was All-American three times.   In the 2016–17 season, Norrie was the only player to win every Big 12 match he participated in, with a 10-0 record in singles and doubles. In spite of being seeded No 1, Norrie missed the end of season NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Championships and put a hold on his studies, so that he could turn professional.     

In 2018, Norrie won his debut Davis Cup match in Spain against world No. 23 Roberto Bautista-Agut, despite only turning professional eight months previously, and last playing on clay in 2013. Norrie, ranked No. 114, came from two sets down, in what former Davis Cup captain John Lloyd said was "one of the most impressive debuts of all time".

He has three Challenger singles titles, and three Futures singles titles.  Although he has one ATP doubles title, achieved at the Estoril Open where he partnered Kyle Edmund, the closest Norrie has come to winning his first singles ATP title was in Auckland this year where he lost 4-6, 2-6 to Tennys Sandgren in the final.  He is currently ranked world No. 69, although he has a career high of 41 reached in May this year.

Having had to qualify for this tournament, he won his round 1 match after his opponent world #33 Christian Garin, despite a lengthy MTO between sets, was forced to retire with a right ankle injury during the second game of the second set, Norrie having won the first 7-6(7-5).

The match is scheduled for 12:30pm local time, 5:30am BST.

[waverlybear]

Thanks Aileen.  I’ve gone for Andy in 2.  I’m still a bit nervous about this one though.  Tennis is so full of surprises.

[Aileen]

I was just thinking that Andy doesn't usually have problems against left-handers, no doubt due to years of practising against Jamie when they were younger, and in fact to date the only two who have beaten him are Nadal (obviously) and Verdasco, with two of the latter's four wins coming at the USO and Shenzhen last year, so fingers crossed Cameron doesn't become the third!  Cameron is no slouch when it comes to serving though - and could teach some players a lesson in how to serve by bouncing the ball only once - so hopefully Andy's serve will be firing nicely.

[Aileen]

Thanks Aileen for all that info. They are replaying Andy’s match on tennis channel and I am noticing how relaxed Andy was during that match. He was making funny faces, twirling his racquet and even having a little grin from tint to time.

I thought you might find some of that info interesting, particularly Cameron's time at college in the US because I'm sure you probably know what's being referred to, which most of us Brits won't.  I certainly had no idea what the Big 12 and the NCAA were until I googled them.

I agree about Andy too, because I watched a replay of most of his match and noticed all that as well, something that tends to get missed in the heat of the game.  He says himself that he's more relaxed about tennis than he used to be, especially knowing that he can play without pain, and of course having a happy and settled home life, something he values above all else, will help him too.

[moonglow]

I'm sure Andy will win  Good luck Andy

Thanks Aileen and sorry I can't watch the match today  

 

[Aileen]

Here we go!  Trouble is that I quite like Cameron.  Hate it when the Brits have to play each other, but that's how it goes.  I'll always get behind Andy anyway, regardless.

The winner of this match will probably come up against Dominic Thiem in the QF.

[Aileen]

I hope you don’t mind me posting the score, I think my stream is slower than yours.

It is, which is why I don't post anything.

[Apollo]

Hold serve Andy