Cameron Norrie one game away from second career title after booking place in Lyon Open final
- Seb Sternik
- 20 May 2022
Cameron Norrie powered his way into the Lyon Open final after a hard-fought battle with Denmark’s Holger Rune.
Norrie, who is the top seed at the tournament, won the match 6-2 5-7 6-4 to set up a clash with Slovakia's Alex Molcan in Saturday's final.
The Brit put on a solid display in the opening set, winning 67% of points on his first serve. Rune hit back in the second as he converted all of his break points to level the semi-final and threaten a comeback.
Ultimately, Norrie was able to find another gear and put on a sterling display in the third set to seal the win and maintain his push for a second career title.
The 26-year-old's only tournament win on the ATP tour came in 2021 when he beat Nikoloz Basilashvili to claim the Indian Wells Masters title.
Norrie is now looking to add another piece of silverware to his cabinet as he goes into the Lyon Open final as the overwhelming favourite.
Last year, the Johannesburg-born player reached the final in Lyon but suffered a straight sets 6-3 6-3 loss against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
"It is never easy to close a match. I had a break in the second and then gifted a couple easy ones. I was pretty mad inside but I managed to stay composed," Norrie said in his on-court interview.
"I was telling myself to stay positive and I managed to play the two best games of the match in the last two games. It is nice to get over the line when the nerves are there and you want to be in the final again."
Molcan, who Norrie will face in the final, is currently ranked 46 in the world and comes into Saturday's showpiece having knocked out the likes of Alex de Minaur, Federico Coria, Karen Khachanov and veteran o-Wilfried Tsonga.
The 24-year-old turned pro in 2015 and while he remains an underdog against Britain's number one, he cannot be underestimated.
