Norrie Stays Perfect In 2023, Reaches Auckland SFs

Cameron Norrie is two wins away from capping a perfect start to the season with a title in New Zealand, the country where he was raised. Seeded second at the ASB Classic in Auckland, he improved to 5-0 on the year with a 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-2 victory against Marcos Giron in Thursday's quarter-finals.

Norrie has now won four straight three-setters dating back to his triumphs against Rafael Nadal and Taylor Fritz at the inaugural United Cup. But he was disappointed to have to play a deciding set after a fast start against Giron.

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"I came out firing and really was enjoying my level and playing well," he assessed. "I made it really tricky for myself, played a loose game to start the second set. Just a lack of concentration. I was able to come back and then he played a better tie-break than me, he was more aggressive and he executed better. He deserved it. 

"Then I came out  [in the third set] and played kind of similar to the first set and took it to him, and exposed his backhand."

Norrie improved to 2-1 in his ATP Head2Head against the World No. 60 Giron, with the American winning their previous meeting last year in Vienna.

The 27-year-old Norrie also lost a second-set tie-break in his Auckland opener against Jiri Lehecka before advancing with a strong finish. Now through to the semi-finals as the lone seeded player remaining in the ATP 250 draw, he awaits Jenson Brooksby and Quentin Halys.