Norrie Ousts 2016 Champ Kyrgios In Atlanta
Nick Kyrgios was quick to congratulate Briton Cameron Norrie after the lefty lifted his first ATP Tour trophy on Saturday in Los Cabos. The Aussie learned firsthand just how well his friend is playing on Thursday evening.
Norrie eliminated Kyrgios 6-1, 6-4 from the Truist Atlanta Open, an ATP 250 event that Kyrgios won in 2016. The third seed needed just 57 minutes to advance to the quarter-finals, in which he will play Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori.
“It’s very nice to be back here in Atlanta,” Norrie said in his on-court interview. “It’s good to have Nick back… really enjoyed the match and really happy with my level.”
[WATCH LIVE 2]Norrie, who is at a career-high No. 29 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, has made the semi-finals in Atlanta in his two previous appearances. Against Kyrgios, who struggled to find rhythm from the baseline, the British lefty remained solid with few dips in his level and saved the only break point he faced.
“It’s cool to be playing at this level and [I am] happy and satisfied to be getting some wins,” Norrie said. “I’m enjoying my tennis.”
The 25-year-old’s next opponent, Ruusuvuori, led Benoit Paire 4-6, 6-4, 3-0 when the Frenchman retired due to heat illness. The Finnish player is into his first quarter-final of the year.