Rafael Nadal beats Cameron Norrie to advance to the fourth round of Roland Garros

Nadal's fourth-round opponent will be Jannik Sinner in a match that promises to be an enthralling encounter.

Rafael Nadal in a file photo. (Image: Twitter/Roland Garros)
By Nilavro Ghosh | Jun 5, 2021 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Rafael Nadal eased into the fourth round of the 2021 Roland Garros after a decisive straight-sets victory over American Cameron Norrie. Nadal won the 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 on Saturday. It was one of Nadal’s most comfortable wins this year as the 13-time French Open winner looks to go all the way. This was the Spaniard’s first game at the Suzanne Lenglen Court in this year’s French Open. His previous two encounters had been at the iconic Philippe Chatrier Court. Nadal’s fourth-round opponent will be the Italian Jannik Sinner. The match definitely promises to be an enthralling encounter as both players are in exceptional form at the moment.

Nadal managed to score three aces in the match compared to Norrie’s two. However, he did concede more double faults (two) than the American (one). His win percentage on the first serve was ridiculous at 79%. Norrie’s, on the other hand, looked meek in comparison at 56%. The Spaniard held the advantage at the second serve win percentage as well at 58% compared to Norrie’s 47%.

The Spaniard scored six of the available 12 break points whereas Norrie only had three break points, of which he scored two. This statistic very clearly demonstrates the level of dominance the king of clay held during the match. Nadal also bagged 12 service games, compared to Norrie’s seven.

DATE WITH SINNER

The match was never in doubt for the Spaniard. It was perhaps the most comfortable match he has played in this year’s French Open. However, the fourth round will not be as easy for Nadal. He will play Jannik Sinner, a young Italian who has been in red hot form himself.

The two have faced off twice against each other, once in last year’s Roland Garros and the other in the recently concluded Italian Open. Nadal emerged victorious on both occasions. He won 7-6, 6-4, 6-1 to knock Sinner out of the 2020 French Open in the quarter-finals stage. The two faced off in the round of 32 of the Italian Open as well in which the Spaniard won 7-5, 6-4.

The Italian will be hoping that third time is the charm if he is to move on further in the tournament. However, the French Open is the Spaniard’s hunting ground, defeating Rafael Nadal in the French Open is a feat that several legends of the game have tried and failed. However, with age and form on his side, the encounter promises to be an exciting affair.