Marin Cilic rallies from set down to defeat Cam Norrie at Italian Open
Former US Open champion Marin Cilic rallies back from a set down to defeat Cameron Norrie and reach the last-16 of the Italian Open – with injury hurting the British No 1’s fightback in Rome
- It was more British disappointment at the Italian Open being held in Rome
- British No 1 Cameron Norrie surrendered a first set lead to lose to Marin Cilic
- Concern grew for Norrie as he limped out of the tournament in a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 loss
Cameron Norrie became the second British hope to suffer an injury scare ahead of Roland Garros after he limped out of the Italian Open following a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 loss to veteran Marin Cilic.
The ninth seed was troubled by his right foot during the last-32 contest in Rome and required treatment in the third set.
By this point Cilic had taken control and would earn a memorable victory in the Italian capital, but Norrie’s attention presumably turned to this month’s French Open by the conclusion of a frustrating match.
Marin Cilic came back from a set down to reach the last-16 of the Italian Open in Rome
British No 1 Cameron Norrie took the opening set but struggled with a foot injury thereafter
Emma Raducanu had to retire hurt on the women’s side of the draw on Tuesday and a day later it was the turn of the world No 11 to suffer a setback ahead of the second grand slam of 2022.
Norrie had made a poor start to the second round tie and appeared distracted by a nearby helicopter for the Coppa Italia Final taking place at the Stadio Olimpico before he broke back twice to take the opener 7-5 in one hour.
There was a sense of deja vu at the beginning of the second when Cilic once more broke in the sixth game but this time he did not relinquish his control.
Norrie, much like Emma Raducanu earlier this week, needed courtside treatment for an injury
With Juventus producing an impressive turnaround to move 2-1 up against Inter Milan, before they were pegged back to 2-2 which forced extra-time, the Croatian completed a similar comeback to win nine games in a row and go within touching distance of the last-16.
British No 1 Norrie was able to avoid a third set bagel but only after he received treatment on his right ankle at 3-0 down in the decider.
The break in play did not deter former US Open champion Cilic, who secured victory in two hours and five minutes much to the delight of the Italian crowd.
For Norrie he faces a race against time, like Raducanu, to recover sufficiently to feature in the French Open later this month.
Cilic could raise a smile at the end as he came out on top to progress to the next round
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