It’s not easy to deal with Cameron Norrie at Indian Wells for several years. The surprise winner of the 2021 edition (his only trophy in Masters 1000) then continued with two quarters in the Californian tournament which was successful for him. But Gaël Monfils, in good shape as proven by his victory against Hubert Hurkacz, managed to break the Briton after an extended match (6-7 [5]7-6 [5], 6-3 in 3h12). The Frenchman will face in the round of 16 the winner of the duel between Arthur Fils and Casper Ruud.
Where to start in this match where 1000 things happened (including a lot of trash)? Perhaps by this spoon service from the Frenchman in the heart of the tie-break of the second set. A stroke of madness? No, a shot with complete control. And a decisive blow since Monfils then moved to 4-2 and would equalize at a set everywhere a few points later on an extended rally where, twice, Norrie forced him to go to the net on a drop shot.
Monfils very poorly shipped
Winner of this XXL point which made people forget their 37 years, the Habs were able to harangue an American public fully committed to their cause. About thirty minutes earlier, you had to be a fervent supporter of Monfils to imagine him reversing this duel. Trailing by a set and a break (3-0 for Norrie in the second), he seemed to be improving on the physical level. Because the first act had already been particularly long (1h22) and grueling against a very compact player. Monfils held on as best he could, like those 20 break points to defend (he gave up two but also managed two breaks).
So when the Briton took off in the second act, the 54th in the world could have had something to worry about. But he hung on, once again, taking this late break and taking advantage of some generosity from his rival, not the most skillful on the fly despite his multiple climbs. Returning to the score, Monfils found a second wind and it was almost logical that he stole his opponent’s serve in the money-time before finishing like a parade to reach the round of 16.