Norrie Battles Into Metz Semi-Finals

Resilient Norrie Reaches Metz Last Four Amid Title Drought

Britain's Cameron Norrie showcased his trademark grit and fighting spirit to advance to the Moselle Open semi-finals on Thursday, overcoming a stern challenge from French wildcard Kyrian Jacquet in a dramatic three-set thriller. The world No. 27 triumphed 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4, extending his impressive run at the ATP 250 event where he's the last remaining seeded player.

Norrie's path to the semi-finals was anything but straightforward. The left-hander dominated early, racing to a 4-1 first-set lead before momentum shifted dramatically. Jacquet, ranked No. 156, unleashed an aggressive assault, utilizing his potent serve and forehand to win five consecutive games and snatch the opener. The 19-year-old Frenchman's relentless pressure continued into the second set, where he outhit Norrie with 48 winners (half from his forehand) compared to the Briton's 28.

"He surprised me a lot. He was mixing it up really well. A lot of slicing, then really aggressive at moments. His serve is really, really good. The French have so many good players... I really liked the way he competed."

Norrie, who also dealt with disruptive nosebleeds during the match, demonstrated remarkable mental fortitude. After saving a break point at 4-4 in the second set, he seized control of the tiebreak and dominated the decisive third set. The 30-year-old won an astonishing final 11 points of the match, securing victory after two hours and 25 minutes of intense battle.

Title Hopes Reignite After 18-Month Drought

This semi-final appearance represents a significant milestone for Norrie, marking his first hard-court semifinal since Metz 2024 and his first ATP Tour-level final appearance of the 2025 season. More importantly, it reignites his quest for a sixth career title, with the Briton aiming to end an 18-month title drought dating back to his victory at the 2023 Rio Open, where he famously defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

Despite his ranking of No. 27, Norrie's hard-court record this season has been modest (13-16 across 16 tournaments). However, his performance in Metz suggests he's finding his form at the perfect moment. His ability to win crucial points under pressure – converting 63 of 185 break points this season on hard courts – will be vital as he pursues silverware.

Semi-Final Showdown Against Sonego Awaits

Norrie's next challenge comes in the form of Italian veteran Lorenzo Sonego, a former Metz champion from 2022 who defeated Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 7-6(6) to reach the last four. The Briton holds a 3-1 career advantage over Sonego, but the Italian's experience in Metz and aggressive baseline game could pose significant problems.

"He's a tough player with a big serve," Norrie acknowledged of his upcoming opponent. "We've had some tight matches before, so I'll need to be ready from the first point." A victory would set up a potential final showdown on Saturday and provide a massive confidence boost as the season approaches its conclusion.

As Norrie continues his title charge, all eyes will be on whether he can channel his resilience and fighting spirit into lifting his first trophy since 2023, adding another chapter to his comeback story on the ATP Tour.