Cameron Norrie’s pursuit of his sixth ATP Tour title fell short in a dramatic final at the Moselle Open in Metz, where he faced off against the rising star Learner Tien. In a match full of twists, Norrie remarkably battled back from a set down and overcame a daunting 1-4 deficit in the final set, only to suffer a heartbreaking loss with a scoreline of 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6).
Having experienced disappointment in last year’s final at this very tournament, Norrie entered the match with a sense of determination, eager to secure his first title in almost three years. Throughout the match, his resilience shone through, particularly as he had previously fought back from a set down in three consecutive matches leading up to the final.
The contest began with Tien claiming the first set, but Norrie responded swiftly, breaking early in the second to level the score. As the final set unfolded, Norrie initially struggled but managed to assert himself, leading 5-1 in the match tie-break. Just when it seemed victory was within reach, a critical missed opportunity to establish a commanding 6-1 lead shifted the momentum once again to Tien. Despite saving one match point, Norrie fell short on Tien’s second chance, allowing the 19-year-old to secure the title.
With this victory, Tien not only claimed his first ATP title but also secured his place as a seeded player alongside Norrie at the upcoming Australian Open. As the tennis world looks ahead to the next season, both players have much to build upon from their experiences in Metz.
