Cameron Norrie anticipates his duel with Tomás Barrios – La Discusión 2024-03-06 10:46:24

After his triumphant debut against the Brazilian Gustavo Heide, the Chilean Tomás Barrios is now preparing to play the second round of the ATP 500 in Rio de Janeiro, where he will have a tough rival in front: Cameron Norrie, current 23rd in the world.

The British tennis player defeated the Bolivian Hugo Dellien (135th) 6-3 and 6-2 in one hour and 20 minutes of play. After the game, he spoke about Barrios and recognized some characteristics that the chillanejo has before facing him on the court.

“I got to see a little bit of his game and he seemed to use the short shots on both sides and the backhand very well. Hits the ball reasonably straight. I think that on this surface, in these conditions, it will be very dangerous. I will need to work a lot on the point, use my legs well and win the point three or four times,” said Norrie, who in 2022 became 8th in the world, in statements reproduced by radio ADN.

Cameron Norrie and Tomás Barrios have never collided before on the ATP circuit. In fact, the last match that the Briton played against a Chilean was in 2021, when he beat Cristian Garín in the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 in Estoril.

The Chilanejo, 120th in the ATP ranking, qualified for the second round after beating Gustavo Heide, 236th in the world and invited by the organization, in two sets.

In the first set, he could not achieve three break chances in the second game, although he then had to save two options against the local player in his immediately following service turn.

Both remained very even in terms of their level of play, but fortunately for the claims of the fourth national racket, they were able to press in time to close the break in the twelfth game, obtaining the partial in their favor by 7/5.

Now looser, Tomás Barrios continued to show his qualities, especially with the forehand, an issue that allowed him to put a dent in Gustavo Heide’s serve, achieving breaks in the fourth and sixth games of the second set.

Although he lost part of his advantage, considering that he was up 5/1, the 26-year-old tennis player sufficiently secured the commitment with the 6/3 that allowed him to win after 1 hour and 45 minutes of play.

The European and the Chilanejo will face each other today at a time to be determined. The winner of the duel will advance to the quarterfinals of the ATP 500 in Rio de Janeiro.