By Tony Fairbairn

Cameron Norrie [7] def Valentin Royer 6-3 6-7(2) 6-3
Norrie v Arthur Cazaux | H2H: Norrie leads 1-0

METZ, FRANCE – Cameron Norrie is into the second round in Metz after a three set win over Valentin Royer and will now face Arthur Cazaux.

 

 

Cameron Norrie [7] def Valentin Royer 6-3 6-7(2) 6-3

Cameron Norrie produced an impressive performance to defeat Valentin Royer in three sets to progress to the second round in Metz. It was a dominant start from last year’s finalist with Norrie only dropping two points in his opening two service games.

In a bid to match his dominant serving, Norrie produced some good returning in the fourth game as he eventually broke for a 3-1 lead. The British number two had no problems on serve and overcame a resurgent Royer who was gradually finding his confidence. An emphatic service game to love sealed a 33 minute opening set with Norrie looking imperious on serve.

The second set saw a much better start to the set for Royer as he dictated play on the backhand side, nullifying Norrie’s attacking qualities. However, the Brit was patient and proactive which was rewarded by creating three break points over two returning games. There was a lack of clinical edge in the big points from Norrie as Royer shut down the opportunities emphatically.

There was nothing to separate either player with the second set being decided by a tiebreak. The missed chances of Norrie would be punished as Royer produced a dominant tiebreak as he played his best tennis of the match to cruise to the tiebreak 7-2, forcing a deciding set.

Despite Royer working hard to force a deciding set, it was Norrie who was more consistent when it mattered most as the Brit made the perfect start by breaking serve in the second set. The Brit then consolidated the break to love for a 3-0 lead as he was comfortable and authoritative on serve. Royer responded with some love holds of his own as he looked to put pressure on Norrie.

However, the seventh seed served out the match to 15 to advance into the second round.

 

Cameron Norrie [7] v Arthur Cazaux H2H & Match Fundamentals

Cameron Norrie [7] v Arthur Cazaux  
H2H: Norrie leads 1-0         

ATP Metz 2025   
Metz, France     

Indoor Hard
Prize Money: €10,460

Fifth on Court Central (18:30 GMT)  
Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

Norrie will aim to reach the quarter-finals as he takes on another Frenchman in the form of Arthur Cazaux.

 

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (Last 52 Weeks)

H2H:
Cameron Norrie (WR 31)  
Arthur Cazaux (WR 69)

Tournament Previous Best
Final (2024)
R1 (2023)       

1st Serve %
66
60.5

Service Games Won %
79.4
83.1

Break Points Saved %
65.7
64.5

2nd Serve Return Points Won %
52
47

Break Points Converted %
38.6
41.5

Norrie will need to have a similar serving performance to the one against Royer if he wants to overcome Cazaux’s effective returning.

 

 

Playing Styles and Prediction

It’s been a good season for Cazaux who has climbed up the rankings, reaching a few ATP and Challenger finals. The Frenchman has been effective and efficient on return with Cazaux needing to do the same here if he wants to reach the quarter-finals on home soil.

Norrie will continue to be aggressive on serve, using the backhand to put Cazaux under pressure from the baseline. Meanwhile, Cazaux will use the return to get ahead in the rally as he will need to be aggressive. This will be a good test for Norrie but the Brit will have too much variety for an inconsistent Cazaux.

Prediction: Norrie in three sets.   

 

 

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