Cameron Norrie of Britain serves to Hugo Dellien of Bolivia during the round 32 at the 2024 ATP500 Rio Open at Jockey Club Brasileiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Feb. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- British second seed Cameron Norrie began his Rio Open title defense with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Bolivia's Hugo Dellien on Monday.
The world No. 20 served four aces and converted three of seven break points to take the match in an hour and 21 minutes on the outdoor clay of the Jockey Club Brasileiro.
"This is a special place for me, I won my biggest title last year here," Norrie said. "I have another chance to work on my game and maybe enjoy the beach a little."
The 28-year-old, who is vying for his sixth ATP title, will meet Chile's Tomas Barrios in the next round.
Sixth seed Laslo Djere of Serbia and Austrian eighth seed Sebastian Ofner also advanced to the round of 16 on Monday.
Spanish top-seed Carlos Alcaraz, who won the tournament in 2022, will begin his quest for a 13th ATP title against Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro on Tuesday.
The Rio Open is South America's only ATP 500 event and offers total prize money of 2.2 million U.S. dollars. Former winners include Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer and Dominic Thiem. ■
Hugo Dellien of Bolivia hits a return to Cameron Norrie of Britain during the round 32 at the 2024 ATP500 Rio Open at Jockey Club Brasileiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Feb. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong)
Cameron Norrie of Britain hits a return to Hugo Dellien of Bolivia during the round 32 at the 2024 ATP500 Rio Open at Jockey Club Brasileiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Feb. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong)