Resolute Norrie passes Bergs test, reaches SFs in Metz

Cameron Norrie’s trademark resilience and fight is coming to the fore this week at the Moselle Open.

The 29-year-old overcame Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-1 on Thursday to book his spot in a 25th tour-level semi-final. Norrie let slip two match points in the second-set tie-break, but dialled back in to win his third consecutive deciding-set clash.

“It was a really good match, he’s a great player who has had a really good year,” Norrie said of Bergs, who is at a career-high of No. 61 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “It’s a great win for me, I had to fight hard. I really should have had [the match] in that tie-break, but he played bigger than me and took a bit more risk.”

Cam on a mission ?@cam_norrie survives the Bergs test 6-3 6-7(6) 6-1 to reach his 25th ATP Tour SF! @MoselleOpen | #MoselleOpen pic.twitter.com/P63X6ikd7F

Norrie's 2024 season was derailed by a forearm injury, but the Briton is showing signs of promise at the indoor hard-court ATP 250 in Metz. With his two-hour, eight-minute win, Norrie is into his first semi-final on hard courts since Auckland 2023. 

It appeared as if the momentum was shifting when Bergs reeled off four consecutive points to steal the second set. Norrie, however, shook off the setback to produce a clinical deciding set, during which he won 86 per cent (12/14) of points behind his first serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats. It marked the second match in as many days that he has prevailed in the final set with a scoreline of 6-1. 

“I was not that happy after losing the second set, but I managed to reset," Norrie added. "I got a bit fortunate with a couple of let cords that went my way, but I’ll take a bit of luck when I can. In the third set, I went back to dictating play and really moving him around, I think that was the difference today.”

Vying for a spot in the championship match, Norrie will face Frenchman Corentin Moutet, who advanced straight to the last four after top seed Andrey Rublev was forced to retire from the main draw through injury. 

In an all-French affair, Benjamin Bonzi continued his stellar run of form by outclassing Quentin Halys 6-3, 7-6(1). The qualifier, who has not dropped a set all week, has now won 19 of his previous 20 matches at all levels.

The 28-year-old, who toppled World No. 7 Casper Ruud for the biggest win of his career in the second round, is into his third ATP Tour semi-final on home soil. After improving to 2-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Halys, Bonzi will face #NextGenATP star Alex Michelsen for a spot in the final.

Michelsen, who is second in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, rallied to defeat Buyunchaokete 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-4 and advance to his fourth tour-level semi-final.