VIENNA — British number two Cameron Norrie saw his hopes of a deep run at the Erste Bank Open dashed in a gripping last-16 encounter, falling to the powerful Italian Matteo Berrettini 6-7(5), 7-6(1), 4-6 in a match that stretched over two hours and forty-five minutes on Thursday.
The contest was a classic clash of styles, pitting Norrie's relentless baseline consistency against the thunderous serving and explosive forehand of Berrettini. Ultimately, the former Wimbledon finalist's firepower proved decisive in the crucial moments, ending Norrie's campaign in Austria and setting up a quarter-final clash with either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Tomas Machac.
A Tale of Two Tie-Breaks
The first set was a tense affair, with both players holding serve comfortably for the most part. Norrie, the World No. 18, showcased his trademark fitness and dogged determination, absorbing Berrettini's pace and extending rallies. The Italian, currently ranked 64th but a former World No. 6, relied heavily on his massive serve, firing 12 aces in the opening set alone. With no break points offered by either player, the set inevitably hurtled towards a tie-break.
In the breaker, it was Norrie who managed to find a slight edge. He capitalized on a rare forehand error from Berrettini to secure a mini-break and held his nerve to close out the set 7-5 in the tie-break. Speaking after the match, Norrie reflected on the fine margins, stating, "I felt I played the big points really well in that first set. I made him play and it paid off."
The second set followed a similar pattern, with service games remaining largely untroubled. Berrettini, however, began to find more rhythm on his groundstrokes, particularly his lethal backhand slice that kept Norrie from dictating play. The Italian forced a second tie-break, and this time, he was utterly dominant. He raced to a 6-0 lead before finally sealing it 7-1 to level the match.
The Deciding Set and a Critical Break
With the match levelled, the momentum seemed to have swung firmly in Berrettini's favour. The third set saw the first and only break of serve in the entire match. At 3-3, Norrie faced immense pressure on his serve. Berrettini, unleashing his formidable forehand, created two break points. On the second, a brutal return forced a short reply from Norrie, which Berrettini put away with a crisp volley.
That single break was all the Italian needed. He comfortably served out the match to love in the final game, sealing the victory with his 25th ace of the contest. Berrettini acknowledged the difficulty of the battle in his on-court interview, saying, "Cam is such a tough opponent. You know you are in for a fight every point. I had to play my best tennis, especially in that second set tie-break, to stay in the match."
By the Numbers: A Serve-Fest in Vienna
The statistics from the match highlight just how serve-oriented the battle was. Berrettini's primary weapon was firing on all cylinders, bailing him out of trouble on numerous occasions. The key numbers that defined the thriller included:
- Aces: Berrettini 25, Norrie 7
- First Serve Points Won: Berrettini 84%, Norrie 76%
- Break Points Converted: Berrettini 1/2, Norrie 0/0
- Total Winners: Berrettini 48, Norrie 22
The lack of any break point opportunities for Norrie underscored the challenge of returning the Italian's serve. Berrettini's ability to produce a high volume of winners, nearly double that of Norrie, was ultimately the defining factor in a match where chances were at a premium.
Post-Match Reactions and Looking Ahead
For Norrie, the defeat is a setback in his quest to secure a seeding for the Australian Open and build momentum for the 2024 season. He expressed frustration but also gave credit to his opponent's performance. "It’s disappointing, of course. I felt I was right in it, but Matteo served incredibly well when he needed to," Norrie said.
For Berrettini, the victory marks a significant step in his ongoing comeback from a string of injury problems that have plagued his last 18 months. The win over a top-20 player like Norrie is a clear statement that the 27-year-old is rediscovering the form that took him to the upper echelons of the game. He will be a dangerous floater in any draw as he continues his ascent back up the rankings.
The Bigger Picture for British Tennis
Norrie's exit in Vienna means no British players remain in the singles draw. With Jack Draper and Andy Murray also suffering early losses this week, the focus for British fans now shifts to the ATP Tour events in Basel and Paris, where Dan Evans will be carrying the flag. Norrie is expected to head to Paris for the final Masters 1000 event of the season, where he will look to finish the year on a high note.
Conclusion: A Thriller Worthy of the Stage
In the end, the Austria Open last-16 clash between Cameron Norrie and Matteo Berrettini delivered exactly what the fans in Vienna hoped for: high-quality, dramatic tennis decided by the finest of margins. While Norrie's consistency and fight were commendable, Berrettini’s sheer power and clutch serving under pressure were the difference-makers. The match served as a compelling reminder of Berrettini’s top-level credentials when healthy and the constant challenge Norrie faces in breaking down the game's biggest servers.