Cam Norrie became only the third GB male this century to clock fifty wins in a season as he kept his hopes alive of making this month’s ATP Tour Finals.
The British No 1 continued his unexpected surge by defeating giant American Reilly Opelka 6-3, 6-4 to make the third round of the Paris Masters.
His 50th victory on the ATP Tour this year saw him join Andy Murray and Tim Henman as having achieved the feat since 2000, while Greg Rusedski managed it in the late nineties.
Cameron Norrie has advanced to the last 16 of the Paris Masters with a straight sets victory
Norrie has been transformed since January.
‚I feel like throughout the whole year I have been able to play on my terms and play the bigger points a little bit more aggressively than I did before, I think that’s the difference,‘ he said.
He now meets American Taylor Fritz, who removed fifth seeded Russian Andrey Rublev from his path.
The 26 year-old southpaw still has work to do to make the eight-man field in Turin, but his hopes were boosted on Wednesday night when one of his four rivals for the last two spots, Jannik Sinner, was beaten by Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.
He follows Tim Henman and Andy Murray as the only British players this century to reach 50 wins in a calendar year
Norrie remains the furthest back among the quartet, with Hubert Hurkacz and Norway’s Casper Ruud joining him in the Paris last sixteen.
However, with 1,000 points still to play for the in the French capital all outcomes are possible. Overcoming Fritz on Thursday is almost certainly essential.
Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu, who is due to play her last tournament of the regular season next week in Austria, has been officially made a member of the All England Club.
The Kent teenager was confirmed this week as becoming its youngest full member, allowing her the free run of facilities at Wimbleton, in recognition of her winning the US Open.
Norrie is hoping to secure a spot at the season-ending ATP Tour finals in Turin this month