Cameron Norrie proved too strong for struggling Frenchman Benoit Paire as he eased into the second round, while Dan Evans joined him with a clinical display.
Paire has no shortage of talent, with his backhand one of the best around, but his efforts are often called into question and he seemed barely trying in the first and third sets. in suffocating conditions.
Norrie lost just 17 points in two sets that combined both sides of a highly competitive second and ended a 6-0 7-6 (7-1) 6-0 victory in an hour and 40 minutes.
Norrie is aiming to run into the Wimbledon semifinals early this summer
The British No. 1 has played as the No. 8 seed for the first time at a Grand Slam and is certainly in the conversation as a contender for the title, especially after he reached Wimbledon semi-finals.
It’s hard to find two tennis players with more different attitudes to their sport and Norrie was focused from the start while Paire made 16 non-compulsory errors – double the number of points he won – and hit only one winner in the first set that lasted less than 20 minutes.
The second story was a different story and, after a brief moment when a spectator collapsed in the stands, Paire broke Norrie’s serve to serve the set 5-3.
However, Norrie took an immediate hit, dominated the tie-break and, with Paire barely running around the field in the third inning, quickly got the job done.
“It’s hard, especially with Benoit’s way of playing,” Norrie said when asked about playing against someone who sometimes doesn’t seem to be trying to win.
“Because he doesn’t seem like he’s really there and he can make some good hits and some big profits. In that third set, he fell in love-30 a couple of times, 15- 30, and that’s when he’s very dangerous. I think he’s an interesting player to watch and he’s a really good guy.”
He later added: “Unfortunately, I think he played a bit too fast, and at the end of the day I went out and did my job.”
Norrie, who has improved his win-loss record to 42-19 for the year, will face Portugal next Joao Sousa who came out on top in the match against American Mackenzie McDonald, winning 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.
Paire admits losing to Norrie could be the last of his career
Benoit Paire is considering not returning to tennis
The French tennis player packed his bags and was ready to leave the court before stepping out to serve 0-5 in the third round and only won 17 points aggregated in two sets of love.
Paire has been open about his mental struggles on the court and, speaking to L’Equipe, he revealed he is considering not returning to tennis.
He said: “I was leading 5-3, I could have played in the second set, I had a good header, but my demon came back, double foul, and it started all the time like old.
“We’ll see what happens. I’m not sure to continue the season, maybe stop there and see if I continue next year.
“Even in Grand Slams, I find it very difficult to fight. I hope one day I will find motivation, something that makes me love tennis. Right now, I am happiest at home and most unhappy at home” m in the league.
“I don’t even want to get angry on the tennis court anymore. That’s not a good sign – if I’m not angry, it’s because I don’t care.”
Evans joins Norrie with impressive performance
Evans brushed Jiri Vesely aside to become the fifth British player to reach the second round.
With defending champion Emma Raducanu still playing, it is the most British player to reach the second round in New York since 1981, with Evans joining Andy Murray, Norrie, Jack Draper and Harriet Dart.
Evans reached the fourth round last year and reached Flushing Meadows by running into the semi-finals of the ATP Tour event in Montreal earlier this month.
And he was ruthless against Czech Vesely, ending a 6-4 6-1 6-1 win in one hour and 55 minutes in brutally hot conditions.
In other matches, the third seed Carlos Alcaraz received Sebastian Baez for a battle before the Argentine began to struggle in the heat and withdrew 7-5 7-5 2-0.
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