French-born Maxime Cressy knocked off another Anglo opponent to reach the semi-finals of the pre-Wimbledon ATP event at Eastbourne on Thursday.
The US-based No. 60 added top-seeded Brit Cam Norrie to this week’s victim’s list on the English South coast grass with a 7-5, 7-5 win.
He had already accounted for American Reilly Opelka and Brit Dan Evans and now gets Londoner Jack Draper, who booked his spot 6-3, 6-3 over compatriot Ryan Peniston.
Cressy had little to show for the spring clay season, only once (Munich) getting out of the first round.
But grass has been a different story, with this week’s breakthrough into the final four.
“It’s been a tough past three months, but I’ve stayed resilient and I knew my time would come,” the 25-year-old said.
“My confidence is back and I am proud of myself and so happy.”
Cressy will be aiming to duplicate – or exceed his best showing after a January hardcourt 250 final in Melbourne but going down to Rafael Nadal, eventual Australian open champion.
Cressy beat Norrie with 10 aces in 99 minutes.
The loss came a day after the Brit spoke of his dreams of raising his ranking back into the elite circle from its current 12th.
“I’ve really enjoyed these last two years, and what excites me is that I still have a lot to improve,” said the winner of two titles so far this season and the 2021 Indian Wells Masters champion..
“I want to get into the Top 10 again and I want to be part of the Top 5.
“I know that the road is very long , but my ultimate goal is to get closer to No. 1..
“Being in the Top 10 was great, but I have to keep doing these things and take them to a bigger scale.
“Now there are players who play very well against me because they are the underdogs and have nothing to lose.”
