Cameron Norrie blew into the Zhuhai Championships like a tropical wind, taking just 67 minutes to beat Peter Gojowczyk 6-1, 6-4.
His game was chosen to open proceedings at the new and lucrative ATP 250 event which has been added to the calendar this year.
The British no. 3 is currently ranked 68th in the world and has slipped from his career-high 41 in May thanks in part to disappointing first-round exits in both the French and US Opens.
However, this was a far cry from the grand slams. The quiet business-like atmosphere was perfectly matched by Norrie’s tennis.
Catching the public’s attention may be something of a slow-burner in this corner of China – just across the sea from Hong Kong.
Barely a few dozen spectators were scattered around the impressive indoor arena – although the giant shallow dome of a roof is likely to be lifted with Andy Murray set to play here tomorrow.
Nevertheless, the crowd were generous in their applause for some of the 24-year-old Norrie’s impressive groundstrokes which simply blew his opponent away.
Gojowczyk, from Germany, is a 30-year-old ranked 92 in the world and simply could not get going in the slightly humid conditions.
Norrie was 5-0 up in the first set within 14 minutes, and although Gojowczyk did eventually get on the scoreboard, Norrie brought up the first set with a huge left-hand ace inside 20 minutes.
Gojowczyk, struggling with his own serve, was again constantly under pressure from the much more mobile Norrie in the second set.
A fluffed drop shot attempt followed by two woeful errors on what should have been easy put-away shots finally cost the German the break in the fifth game and Norrie could then breeze to victory.
