Zizou Bergs and Cameron Norrie battled in the Metz quarter-final, with the British player scoring a 6-3, 6-7, 6-1 in two hours and eight minutes. Bergs lost steam after forcing a decider, taking only one game in the final set and ending his campaign in the last eight. The Belgian received death threats from an angry gambler during the match or after who wished to see him dead.
ADVERTISEMENT
Gambling - tennis cancer
Gambling is one of the main issues in tennis, embodying an entire professional circuit from the ATP Tour to Futures. Online betting affects the integrity of the sport and the players' well-being, with many struggling after reading all kinds of threats and abuse warnings. Unhappy with the matches' outcome, frustrated gamblers unleash rage toward players. They usually target lower-ranked competitors, sending disturbing messages and damaging their mental health through social media.
Zizou and Cameron embrace a nice battle in Metz
Norrie will compete in his first ATP semi-final since February after taking down Bergs in three sets at the Moselle Open. The Briton grabbed 15 points more than the Belgian, dominating the sets he won. Cameron served at 70% and outplayed his opponent behind the first and second serve. He saved three of four break points and mounted the pressure on the other side. Zizou dropped serve four times from eight chances presented to his rival. He stayed competitive in the second set and prevailed before losing ground in the decider. The encounter started with three breaks in the opening four games. A left-hander delivered two, landing a volley winner at the net in the fourth game for a 3-1 advantage. They served well in the rest of the set, and Cameron completed it with a hold at 15 at 5-3.
Norrie denied two break points in the fourth game of the second set and had an opportunity to seal the deal much earlier. Bergs denied two break points in the 11th game with service winners, extending the battle before facing more issues in the tie break. The Belgian faced two match points at 4-6 and hit well to defend them, gaining confidence and welcoming the rival's backhand, rattling off four points and forcing a decider. Norrie made a fresh start in the final set, leaving those chances behind and mounting the pressure on the other side. Zizou sprayed a forehand error in the fourth game, falling 3-1 behind. He got broken for the second straight time two games later when Cameron passed him at the net, allowing his rival to serve for the win. The Briton fired a service winner at 5-1, holding at love and sealing the deal in style.
ADVERTISEMENT
