Day 3 of the United Cup features a showdown between the United States and Great Britain in Perth, Australia. The defending champion Americans have not yet played this week, while the Brits swept the Aussies 3-0.
Taylor Fritz (USA) vs. Cameron Norrie (GBR)
Fritz and Norrie will be facing each other for the 14th time when they meet again in Group C competition at the United Cup on Sunday afternoon in Perth. No, that is not a misprint; they have already squared off 13 times in their relatively young careers. Moreover, they have already completed the head-to-head Grand Slam in team competitions: the United Cup, the ATP Cup, the Laver Cup, and the Davis Cup. Fritz owns an overall 7-6 lead, but it is 2-2 in the team matches and Norrie won last season’s United Cup encounter 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.
Norrie should also feel good about his chances because has a match under his belt in Perth–and it was a good one. The British left-hander outlasted Alex de Minaur of Australia 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(2) on Friday en route to a 3-0 whitewash for his country.
Fritz enjoyed a better all-around year than his good friend and familiar foe, finishing No. 10 in the rankings to Norrie’s 18th. However, Norrie generally plays well early in seasons (he was on fire through the first two months of 2023 before fading) and his win over De Minaur suggests more of the same could be in store for 2024.
This is Fritz’s first match of the new season, so Norrie may be able to take advantage even though he is the underdog on paper.
Pick: Norrie in 3
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Fritz will see it coming and Norrie will revert back to mean.
Fritz in 3