Cameron Norrie stays positive for Paris despite dismal loss to Thiago Agustín Tirante

Cameron Norrie believes he is still well positioned for a strong performance at the French Open despite being shocked by his standard of play during Saturday’s frustrating 6-3, 7-5 loss to Thiago Agustín Tirante in the second round of the Italian Open on Friday.

Norrie, the British No 1, started the match with a slew of unforced errors, immediately falling 3-0 behind. Those tense early struggles set the tone for a difficult day against one of the most explosive players on the tour. Tirante’s massive first serve consistently scaled 140mph, peaking at 148mph, which the world No 69 backed up by dominating the baseline with his heavy forehand.

Having defeated Tirante two weeks ago at the Madrid Open, Norrie felt he should have done a much better job of proactively exposing the Argentinian’s backhand. “That put a bit of doubt in my mind a little bit during the rest of the match,” said Norrie. “I felt I needed to make a few more balls and I should have dictated the play a bit more. But he gave me nothing.

“Just a good lesson to learn against one of those guys who has a clear weakness in the backhand, which I wasn’t able to find. You need to be the one dictating the play so I’m very upset right now with the level, but I can’t be in better mental and physical shape getting into the French Open, so I’m really excited.”

This loss was particularly frustrating for Norrie. He has been in solid form this year, performing at a consistent level and gradually rising up the rankings. This week marked his return to the top 20 for the first time since January 2024. A year ago he was ranked 91st and stuck in one of the worst slumps of his career, but he now sits at 19th in the rankings.

Norrie will next compete at the Geneva Open, which takes place a week before the French Open main draw begins. “I’m feeling so good physically, mentally,” he said. “This loss is just going to make me hungry, I think, but I was shocked with my level because I’ve been playing so well in practice, I can’t prepare better. So I’m excited and ready to play again.

“I would’ve liked to stay here and play and have a chance to win the tournament. I felt my level was there, but it’s OK. I’ll learn from that and next time I’ll be a bit more brave and trust my tennis and trust how well I’m playing.”