Carlos Alcaraz vs. Cameron Norrie is low key one of the most entertaining rivalries in the men’s game right now.
Norrie is a shockingly respectable 3-5 lifetime in their surprisingly extensive head-to-head history, which includes a triumph in the 2023 Rio de Janeiro final. The British left-hander also prevailed at the 2022 Cincinnati Masters and in their most recent showdown at the Paris Masters this past fall. What’s even more interesting about this matchup is that Norrie almost always wins whenever he is competitive. When Alcaraz gets the job done, it is generally in convincing fashion. Four of the Spaniard’s five victories have come in straight sets without a single tiebreaker.
Norrie can never be completely discounted at this tournament, which has to be considered his favorite outside of Wimbledon. The 30-year-old improbably lifted the trophy in 2022 and this is his third quarterfinal appearance since that result. It has come at the expense of Mackenzie McDonald, Alex de Minaur, and Rinky Hijikata — all in easy straight sets.
Unfortunately for Norrie, Alcaraz is in incredible form. The world No. 1 is 15-0 this season and has been extremely impressive while bidding for his third title in the desert, where has dismissed Grigor Dimitrov, Arthur Rinderknech, and Casper Ruud.
You have to think that this will be one of their matchups that is mostly routine for Alcaraz.
Pick: Alcaraz in 2