Andrey Rublev eliminates Cameron Norrie and reaches the quarter-finals

Renowned for his almost metronomic precision and for his solidity in the game, Cameron Norrie completely missed his round of 16 against Andrey Rublev, himself little known for his stability. Seeded n°9, the Russian won easily (6-4, 6-4, 6-4), taking advantage of the many blunders of his opponent, author of 35 unforced errors. Himself credited with 30 winning moves, Rublev did not steal his victory but it is clear that the game never reached unforgettable heights.

Norrie began to let loose in the ninth game of the first set, redacting three backhands. He did it all over again in the second set, this time on the forehand. We didn’t feel particularly nervous. Just absent and in complete pain of feelings. At 4-3 break, the game was interrupted for 23 minutes because of a violent downpour and the procrastination of the officials, who took too long to decide to close the roof of the Louis-Armstrong. But the suspension did not change the case (6-4, 6-4). Exactly as in the first set, Norrie had spat twelve unforced errors.

Nadal or Tiafoe in quarters

Once again broken (in the fifth game of the last set), the Briton finally expressed his frustration by smashing his racket. The gesture seemed to free him since he signed his only break of the game to return to height. But it was to immediately fall back into his faults. Yet another backhand fault put an end to his ordeal.

Rublev thus qualifies for his sixth Grand Slam quarter-final, including the third in New York, after 2017 (beaten by Nadal) and 2020 (beaten by Medvedev). There he will face the winner of the match between Rafael Nadal and Frances Tiafoe.