Dominic Stricker (ATP 233) was unable to defy the odds. The Bernese player lost to former world No. 8 Cameron Norrie (ATP 90) 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 in a match interrupted by the tournament’s first rain shower—one that will leave him with plenty of regrets.
Indeed, Dominic Stricker served for the first set at 5-4. Unfortunately, he let the opportunity slip before poorly managing the start of the tiebreak. After a difficult beginning, Cameron Norrie found his rhythm and was never truly threatened again in this left-handed duel. On Wednesday, the Brit will face last year’s finalist Tomas Machac (ATP 21).
Earlier in the day, Kei Nishikori (ATP 62) showed the Gonet Geneva Open crowd that the fire still burns strong in him at 35 years old. The Japanese player emerged victorious from a great match against American teenager Learner Tien (ATP 67). Winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, he’ll be back on court Tuesday for a promising round of 16 clash against Karen Khachanov—especially if Nishikori plays as he did in the third set.
The show continued on Court No. 1. Last year’s Gstaad finalist, Quentin Halys (ATP 50), defeated Jaume Munar (ATP 58) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) in a clash that came down to the wire. Likely decided by a forehand strike as desperate as it was brilliant from Halys, while the Spaniard was just two points from victory at 5-4, 30-30 in a breathtaking third set. On Wednesday, the Frenchman will try to shake things up against top seed Taylor Fritz. Yes, the Gonet Geneva Open has started with a bang—and what’s coming promises to be even crazier…
