Norrie And Sinner Progress Into Italian Open Quarter-Final, Auger-Aliassime Suffers Shock Exit
Cameron Norrie put recent clay-court troubles behind him to beat Alexandre Muller in his Rome Masters opener and progress to the last 16. The British No. 1 has struggled for form recently but made short work of the French qualifier in a 6-2 6-3 win and will face Marton Fucsovics or Alex de Minaur next. Italy’s Jannik Sinner also progressed with a straight-sets win over Thanasi Kokkinakis.
British No. 1 Cameron Norrie is safely through to the last 16 of the Italian Open after the 13th seed beat qualifier Alexandre Muller in straight sets, while home favourite Jannik Sinner also progressed but Felix Auger-Aliassime suffered a shock exit.
Norrie has struggled on clay so far this season, winning just two matches in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid combined.
But there was little fuss to a 6-2 6-3 victory over Muller on Friday, which Norrie completed in one hour and 14 minutes.
The 27-year-old hit four aces and 20 winners, breaking his French opponent three times and saving the only break point he faced in a dominant performance.
Norrie, who was given a bye through the first round, will face Marton Fucsovics next after the Hungarian upset 17th seed Alex de Minaur 6-3 6-4.
The winner of that tie could potentially face a blockbuster quarter-final clash with top seed Novak Djokovic, who begins his Rome campaign against Tomas Martin Etcheverry later on Friday.
Sinner’s bid for glory on home soil got off to a solid start with a 6-1 6-4 win over qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis.
The Italian is the eighth seed in Rome but will be eyeing the title after a strong recent run at ATP 1000 events, reaching the final in Miami and the last four in Indian Wells and Monte Carlo – although he missed the recent Madrid Open due to illness.
Kokkinakis promised to be a tricky opening obstacle for the 21-year-old, but he made short work of his opponent as he racked up 25 winners and a 96% first serve success rate.
The Australian, who progressed past Jaume Munar in the first round due to the Spaniard’s retirement, saved a match point with an ace in the second set but couldn’t break back as Sinner served out with a love hold.
“It is a very special feeling, especially here in Rome, trying to be an example for the young kids,” said Sinner.
“Also spending a little bit of time with them, which is important, to show them the love. It is just a very special tournament for me. I only have this kind of crowd once a year, or twice a year if I qualify for Turin.
“That’s obviously my goal, and I am also trying to go deep here in Rome, but I take it match after match. I feel ready to compete, but let’s see in the next round because it is going to be a tough one.”
Sinner will face Alexander Shevchenko in the last 16 after the lucky loser beat Sebastian Baez 6-3 6-4.
Tenth seed Auger-Aliassime’s hopes of a deep run were ended by qualifier Alexei Popyrin, who claimed his third top-10 victory of the season with a 6-4 4-6 7-5 victory.
The 23-year-old world No. 77 beat the Canadian in Adelaide in January during a run to the quarter-finals, before knocking Taylor Fritz out of the Australian Open on home soil.
Popyrin edged a thriller lasting three hours and 17 minutes to earn a last-16 clash with Roman Safiullin, who surprised 22nd seed Sebastian Korda 6-2 7-6(5).
Grigor Dimitrov overcame veteran Stan Wawrinka 6-4 7-6(3) and he will face the winner of top seed Djokovic’s clash with Etcheverry.
Another seeded player, 23rd-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp, was beaten in straight sets by Serbian Laslo Djere, while Francisco Cerundolo beat Wu Yibing in three sets.
