Second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Cameron Norrie 6-3 6-3 to win his second ATP Tour title of the season and the seventh of his career at the Open Parc Auvergne Rhone Alpes in Lyon.
Both players saved break points in their opening service games. Tsitsipas fended off three break points in his first service game to hold serve with consecutive aces. Norrie saved two break points in his first service game to hold. Tsitsipas hit another ace to hold serve for 3-2.
Tsitsipas earned his first break in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead, as Norrie ove-hit his smash. The Greek player closed out the first set with his his sixth ace after 38 minutes.
Tsitsipas broke serve in the seventh game of the second set at 15 to take a 4-3 lead. Tsitsipas held serve at love with a backhand down the line to back up the break for 5-3. Norrie made another double fault to face three championships points. Tsitsipas broke serve on his second opportunity after 69 minutes, when Norrie sent his forehand long.
Tsitipas fired seven aces and dropped just six points on his first serve. He saved all the three break points he faced in the first game of the match.
The Greek player, who trains at coach Patrick Moratoglou’s academy in Southern France, has won three of his seven titles in France.
“Coming here in Lyon I did not know what to expect. Bringing the people, bringing the atmosphere is something we players missed and needed for a long time. I am quite grateful for the opportunity to play in front of people and the French public has been showing a lot of love coming and cheering to my matches and supporting every single match I play in France”, said Tsitsipas.
Tsitsipas has now won all of his five ATP 250 finals in Stockolm 2018, Marseille 2019, Estoril 2019, Marseille 2020, Lyon 2021 and has not dropped a set in those matches yet. He has improved his record in ATP Tour matches to 33 wins to 8 defeats.
Norrie has won 23 ATP Tour matches this year, including two two straight-set wins against Dominic Thiem and Karen Khachanov this week.
“I felt in good shape from the beginning of the tournament. I am proud of today’s match. I am proud of today’s match. I knew it would be a difficult one against Cameron who has been showing great tennis this week. He has been winning against good players and showing what the left hand can do on clay. It was not an easy match. I had to handle the match and I am proud of my performance and the way I stayed focused towards my goal. It is about getting there as early as possible, starting to practice and get ready for the Parisian Grand Slam, which I adore and love and hopefully something good can come from it”, said Tsitsipas.
