Two days after his best victory of the season, at the expense of the American giant John Isner (22nd, 2.08m), the 21-year-old Frenchman this time fell on stronger, but he fought until the end .
He broke from the start, but immediately gave up his serve twice, weighed down by a first ball at half mast (47% success in this set).
At 4-2 against him, he obtained two break points, but Norrie remained solid to maintain his advantage.
During the second set, Gaston was more consistent, but the Briton did not miss his break point at 4-3.
The Frenchman then fought back, dropping his shots and going up to the net more often, with success.
He saved five match points on his next engagement, a sixth on opposing service and even managed to unbreak (5-5).
But his first ball betrayed him again and Norrie immediately broke again, to conclude not without difficulty on his 8th match point, thanks to his 7th ace of the day.
He will face in the round of 16 the Norwegian Casper Ruud (8th) or the Kazakh Alexander Bublik (33rd).
As for Gaston, who was only playing his fourth match there in the final draw of an ATP Tour tournament, he can be satisfied to be on the right track, after a difficult start to the season.
© 2022 AFP