Cameron Norrie got a much-needed victory in the first round of the Geneva Open after beating Dominic Stricker.
Norrie, who had to come through qualifying to reach the Geneva main draw, has struggled to find the same form that once saw him ranked as high as world number eight.
However, there have been some more positive signs for the Briton in recent weeks, having reached the third round of the Madrid Open.
Despite his winning start at the ATP 250 tournament in Geneva, Norrie did not have it all his own way against home favourite Stricker.
Mike Maclagan states what Cameron Norrie did to help him beat Dominic Stricker
Norrie ended up beating Stricker, 7-6(2) 6-3, but the scoreline only tells half of the story.
After going up a break on Norrie in the first set, Stricker actually served to take the advantage, but was unable to do so.
This was not the end of the drama during the match, as the rain came down when Norrie led Stricker 3-1 in the second set.
Despite this disruption, Norrie was able to return to court and get the job done, something that Andy Murray’s former coach and Sky Sports commentator Miles Maclagan was impressed by.
“Just over an hour and a half to notch up another victory, another welcome victory for Cam Norrie, who I feel is still looking to build that confidence with some really good play there,” said Maclagan.
“He’ll be delighted with the way he came out, after the rain break in particular, really focused. He took the match by the scruff of the neck against a really dangerous opponent. Someone who is not lacking in firepower whatsoever.
“A bit scrappy from both. Stricker, you always felt it was about managing those unforced errors. There were periods of the match where there were few and he shows how effective and dangerous he can be.
“Norrie just tightened things up when he really needed to at the end of that first set, Stricker actually served for it. How different might things have been there.
“He was able to get across the line in the first set and take advantage of a little dip of energy, lack of focus early on and put himself out in front. He used the rain break well as well, really sharp as well.”
Cameron Norrie explains what he did during the rain delay
It was not only Maclagan who noticed the rain delay being a decisive part of the match, but also Norrie himself.
In the on-court interview after his victory in Geneva, Norrie revealed what he did during the rain delay to keep himself calm and enable him to cruise to victory.
“[It was] not easy,” admitted the world number 90. “I had some rice and a banana. Tried to relax. Just before the break it was quite a stressful part of the match. It was really windy, it was raining, but I was able to relax and take a moment.
“When I came back I actually felt really good, I was moving freely and everything was happening at my speed. A little bit tight to serve it out, broken to love but in really heavy conditions.”
It will not get any easier for Norrie now, as he has now set up a meeting with world number 21 and last year’s Geneva Open finalist Tomas Machac.
Despite Machac likely being the favourite due to recent form, it is actually Norrie who won their only previous meeting that came at Wimbledon in 2023.
