Cameron Norrie has been looking forward to his first-ever meeting with Jannik Sinner at the Madrid Open.
The British number one overcame Argentina's Thiago Agustin Tirante in straight sets at the Caja Magica to set up the intriguing encounter with the Italian top seed.
Remarkably, despite having met Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic on numerous occasions throughout his career, Norrie has never previously faced Sinner in competitive action.
Victory on Tuesday would see Norrie reach the Madrid quarter-finals for the first time whilst ending Sinner's remarkable 19-match winning run.
Norrie has never faced Sinner before
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Norrie prevailed 7-5, 7-6 (5) against the world number 75, though the Argentinian's thunderous serve posed significant problems throughout the encounter.
Tirante unleashed a delivery clocked at 149 miles per hour during the sixth game, yet failed to manufacture a single break point opportunity against the Briton's serve.
The match offered limited chances for either player, with Norrie finally converting his third break point in the 12th game of the opening set courtesy of a backhand winner.
A tense second-set tie-break followed, where Norrie sealed victory on his first match point to complete the win.
Norrie will face Sinner in Madrid tomorrow
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Norrie acknowledged the unusual nature of never having faced the world's top-ranked player until now.
"I've never played him, which is crazy. I'm excited to play him, but every time we practice, he rips me up and smokes me.
"He's really confident, probably the most confident player in tennis right now.
"I'm going to take it to him, I'm just going to play my game, play the ball in front of me," Norrie told Sky Sports.
Norrie said: 'I've never played him, which is crazy'
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Sinner progressed to the last 16 with a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 victory over qualifier Elmer Moller, having dropped a set against Benjamin Bonzi in his opening match.
The triumph extended his winning streak to 19 consecutive matches as he pursues a record fifth successive Masters 1000 crown.
The Italian has been taking precautions amid reports of illness affecting several players at the tournament.
Sinner is the favourite to win the Madrid Open
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Sinner explained: "I don't spend a lot of time here.
"I come match days a little bit earlier, but practice days very late. I practice and then I get away."
He noted players are "always quite close to each other in the dining rooms and in the gym" when illness spreads.
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