RIO DE JANEIRO -- Cameron Norrie kicked off his Rio Open title defense with a solid victory over Bolivia's Hugo Dellien, winning 6-3, 6-2 in the opening match on Monday. Reflecting on his previous triumph at the tournament, Norrie expressed his fondness for the event, stating, 'This is a special place for me, I won my biggest title last year here.' The British player is eager to refine his skills and perhaps indulge in some leisure time at the beach during his stay.
Norrie's upset victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the 2023 final has set the stage for a potential rematch, as both players are seeded to reach the final once again. Up next for Norrie is a match against Chile's Tomas Barrios Vera, as he aims to continue his winning streak in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the fourth-seeded player, Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina, also secured a victory in his opening match. The competition is heating up as top players gear up for their upcoming matches.
Alcaraz is scheduled to play his first match on Tuesday against local favorite Thiago Monteiro, promising an exciting showdown for the fans. Additionally, three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka is set to face Argentina's Facundo Díaz Acosta, who is riding high on his recent victory at the Argentina Open as a wild card entrant.
