Streaking Norrie Advances To Auckland Final

Cameron Norrie still feels right at home in Auckland. After growing up in the city in New Zealand, he reached his first ATP Tour final there in 2019. Now, he hopes to go one step further by winning his fifth tour-level title at the ASB Classic.

The multinational Norrie, who plays under the British flag, was cheered on by his “home” crowd as he earned a 6-3, 6-4 semi-final victory against Jenson Brooksby on Friday. He will meet Richard Gasquet in Saturday’s final, after the Frenchman advanced via walkover when countryman Constant Lestienne pulled out with a pectoral strain.

Norrie improved to 6-0 on the 2023 season with a convincing victory against the tricky Brooksby, who was making his Auckland debut. 

“It was an absolute battle with Jenson. A lot of long rallies and I know how well he competes, so it was nice to get it done in straight sets,” said Norrie, noting that he failed to close out his previous two matches in straights after claiming the opening set. 

“I’m glad the sun came out, everyone came out on a Friday,” he continued. “It was an amazing atmosphere and I really enjoyed it.”

After converting on his sixth break point of the opening set, Norrie found himself an instant break down at 2-0 in the second set before breaking straight back to love. The World No. 12 then erased two break chances at 2-3 to start a run of 11 consecutive points, including a second break at love. Back in control, he cooly served out the match in one hour, 38 minutes.

Norrie said the match felt much closer than the scoreline, and he was full of praise for Brooksby, who called for the trainer late in the second set with an apparent wrist problem.

“He puts the ball in such awkward parts off the court and I had to come up with a lot of really tough shots on the run and a lot of big passes,” Norrie said. “I was able to serve it out and stay really calm and get over the line, but he’s a great player.”