Day 13 Preview: Norrie v Gasquet Final

Today’s ASB Classic Watch

By Matt Brown, Newstalk ZB

DAY 12 PREVIEW: It’s the dream final organisers and fans wanted. Cam Norrie against Richard Gasquet. The player who grew up in Auckland but plays for Britain is into his second ASB Classic final. And the 27 year old is better equipped now than he was in 2019 when he lost to Tennys Sandgren.

Since then, Norrie has won four titles including the prestigious Indian Wells Masters in 2021. He made the Wimbledon semi-finals last year and reached a career high of eight in the rankings. The world number 12 will start as favourite against veteran Frenchman Richard Gasquet, a player he has never faced but has an incredible record over 20 years on tour. 15 singles titles and three Grand Slam semi-finals, Gasquet exudes elegance and has a beautiful single handed backhand but is 36 and Norrie’s fitness and speed gives him the edge.

Norrie has the best record of any player going into next week’s Australian Open. He is 6-0 for the year and is desperate to make it seven straight wins and claim a title at a tournament he cherishes so much.

The doubles final could also be a cracker featuring top seeds and Olympic champions Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic against Americans Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow who knocked out Kiwi Michael Venus and Britain's Jamie Murray in the first round and second seeds Marecel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos in the semis.