Day 12 Preview: Cam Norrie to face Jenson Brooksby in semi-finals
Today’s ASB Classic Watch
DAY 11 PREVIEW: The hometown kid chases a place in his second ASB Classic final this afternoon.
Much has been written about Cam Norrie, born in South Africa but raised in Auckland and playing for Britain. The 27-year-old came ‘home’ just once during the height of covid in June 2020 and he was desperate to return try to go one further than his runner-up finish in 2019.
Norrie has such an affinity for the place where he spent more than a decade in his childhood that winning the title here would mean as much as some of his best career achievements.
The world number 12 takes on 22-year-old American Jenson Brooksby for a place in the title decider. There are 36 places between them in the rankings and Norrie won their only previous meeting 6-2 6-4 at Indian Wells last year.
But Norrie says the score flattered him. “The score line was comfortable but it was an absolute battle and he’s a tricky player who anticipates the ball so well and his hands are unbelievable so it’s not going to be easy.”
Brooksby said he watched that match last night as part of his preparation for the semi-final. “He was definitely at a high level and I will switch things up a bit and see what happens.”
And Brooksby is relishing not being the crowd favourite playing against Norrie in his adopted home town having experienced that feeling in places like South Korea.
By Matt Brown, Newstalk ZB