British number one Cameron Norrie has reached his first final of the 2023 season after defeating Jenson Brooksby in straight sets in the semi-finals of the ASB Classic in Auckland.
The Wimbledon semi-finalist prevailed 6-3 6-4 in one hour and 38 minutes to set up a showpiece event with Richard Gasquet, whose semi-final opponent Constant Lestienne was forced to withdraw with a pectoral injury.
Despite squandering as many as four break points in the fourth game of the match, Norrie broke in the sixth before back-to-back love holds gave the Briton a well-deserved lead.
Norrie was forced to do it the hard way in the second set as Brooksby broke for a 2-0 lead, but the world number 12 won five of the next six games to quickly regain control.
After missing one match point on the American's serve, Norrie held one final time to advance to his 12th ATP Tour singles final, having made it through to his first in Auckland four years ago before losing to Tennys Sandgren.
"It was an absolute battle with Jenson. A lot of long rallies and I know how well he competes, so it was nice to get it done in straight sets," Norrie said on the court.
"He puts the ball in such awkward parts off the court and I had to come up with a lot of really tough shots on the run and a lot of big passes. I was able to serve it out and stay really calm and get over the line, but he's a great player."
Norrie will aim to win his fifth career singles title against Gasquet in Saturday's final before taking on Luca Van Assche in the first round of the Australian Open next Monday.
Ben Knapton
