Moutet is no ordinary opponent, either. Left-handed, not averse to throwing in the odd underarm serve and always struggling to keep his emotions in check, the atmosphere could be electric. But if Novak can build on the past week and a half, he should extend his win-loss record over the Frenchman to 3-0.
Two to watch on Thursday
Court Simonne-Mathieu, first match
Mirra Andreeva (6) vs Ashlyn Krueger
Oh, to be young and carefree again. For the 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva (who has already been on the professional tour for a couple of years), life can seem so simple. Where others fret over the smallest details, she simply gets on with the business of playing. Are the conditions warm and fast or cold and slow? “Honestly, I don’t feel the difference when either it’s hot or it’s cold, if I play different or if the ball goes in different way,” she said. “I’m just going to play my game and do the same thing.”
That attitude took her to the semi-finals here last year and to the titles in Dubai and Indian Wells this year. It won’t bother her too much that Ashlyn Krueger won their only previous match, either. Andreeva will just do what she always does and see what happens.
Court 13, third match
Cameron Norrie vs Federico Gomez
Cameron Norrie had never taken a set from Daniil Medvedev in four previous meetings and yet on Tuesday he overcame the former world No.1 in five harum-scarum sets. Now the giant killer has to try and back up that win with another over Federico Gomez, the world No.144.
Although they have never met in competition before, Norrie knows his opponent’s strengths well enough. “I practised with him a couple times in Florida,” he said. “Massive forehand. Massive serve. I know on his day, he’s very tough to beat.” But having run himself ragged for the best part of four hours on Tuesday, Norrie thinks he is in perfect shape for the next challenge. “To play Daniil five sets, I feel like I won’t have to try to find some rhythm,” he said with a smile.
