Cameron Norrie overcomes slow start to beat Juan Manuel Cerundolo to reach Rio Open second round

Cameron Norrie overcame a slow start to beat Juan Manuel Cerundolo 7-5 6-1 to reach the second round of the Rio Open.

He will play Thiago Monteiro on Wednesday, after the Brazilian beat Dominic Thiem 6-1 3-6 7-6(2).

“I started OK, I just played one loose game,” said Norrie. “Then I had chances on his serve and he actually served really well, played really well on the big points.

“I thought I was a bit unlucky to get broken but I was able to find my range, find my legs and used my backhand pretty effectively in the end.

“Last week I was against a couple of Argentines in Buenos Aires, so I think I’m ready for this challenge [against local hope Monteiro]. I will have to play well because he will be coming out with a lot of confidence.”

Norrie started strongly but missed two break-point opportunities in the second game.

He was punished just minutes later as Cerundolo surprisingly got a break of his own after three poor forehands from Norrie.

Momentum was with Cerundolo as he saved a break point from Norrie in the eighth game and served for the set.

However, the British No. 1 began to pick up his game and broke his opponent to make it 5-5, before winning the next two games to steal the set in 53 minutes.

Norrie found himself in trouble immediately at the start of the second at 0-40 down on serve, but served his way out of trouble.

Cerundolo then began to struggle on serve, and Norrie took advantage to lead 3-1 as the momentum shifted once again.

He made it a double break after a long sixth game and served out the match with ease.

Later on Tuesday, top seed Alcaraz will be in first-round action against Mateus Alves. Should Alcaraz and Norrie win all their matches prior to Sunday, they will meet in the final once again.