Estoril Open: Cameron Norrie off to winning start with first-round win over Joao Sousa

Briton defeated the home favourite and 2018 champion in straight sets

Cameron Norrie secured the win in 86 minutes (Getty Images)

Cameron Norrie continued his fine 2021 season with a comfortable win over Portugal’s Joao Sousa in the first round of the Estoril Open.

The British No 2 is back in the top 50 after reaching the quarter-finals of the Monte-Carlo Masters last week and has been playing consistently well all year.

Sousa is a former top-30 player, but he has had a miserable last 18 months and is now ranked outside the top 100.

Norrie dominated the first set and although Sousa improved in the second his opponent was too strong, easing to a 6-1 6-3 victory and setting up a second-round clash with Spanish qualifier Pedro Martinez.

Speaking on Amazon Prime Video, Norrie said: “I think I’m playing some of my best clay-court tennis. I had a good week last week.

“It’s just nice to get some matches on the clay, especially leading in before the French Open and some of the bigger tournaments. I’m just trying to progress.”

PA