Cameron Norrie cruises into second round of Rio Open

He will face Tomas Barrios Vera of Chile in the next round.

Cameron Norrie won the Rio Open in 2023 (Alessandra Tarantino/AP) (AP)

Cameron Norrie hit the ground running at the Rio Open, defeating Bolivian player Hugo Dellien 6-3 6-2.

The world number 23 saved the only break point he faced as he breezed into the second round in one hour and 21 minutes.

In his on-court interview after the match, Norrie said he was happy with how he bounced back after a first-round exit in Argentina last week.

He said: “I served much better than last week, and I was a bit more patient and knew I had to play point for point and really make the rallies a bit longer.

“I think I learned from last week with that, and just happy to be back in Brazil.”

Norrie will face Chilean Tomas Barrios Vera next, after the world number 120 beat Brazilian wild card Gustavo Heide 7-5 6-3.

Norrie won the top prize at last year’s Rio Open, defeating world number two Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

There was more British success in Mexico as Dan Evans beat fifth seed Roman Safiullin 6-2 6-4.

Evans was denied an all-British meeting in the last 16, however, as Jack Draper was beaten in three sets by Australian Thanasis Kokkinakis.

Draper took the first set but the Australian hit back to win 4-6 7-6 (5) 6-4.