Cam Norrie loses close battle with Novak Djokovic in Wimbledon semi-final
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Cam Norrie’s remarkable Wimbledon run came to an end at the hands of six-time champion and 20-time major title winner Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
Despite an emphatic start from the Brit, the former world No.1 was able to recover and see out his seventh Wimbledon semi-final in a row 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in two hours and 37 minutes.
“Cameron didn’t have much to lose, playing the tournament of his life but obviously playing at home is never easy," said the 2022 finalist in his post-match interview.
"I wish him all the best - he’s a great player and I have a lot of respect for him.
“Cameron was dominating the play and I felt lucky to break him in the second set and from then the momentum shifted – that’s the significance of a stage like this in a Grand Slam semi-final."
Djokovic will now go on to face Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in Sunday’s final after second seed, Rafael Nadal, pulled out last night with an abdominal tear.
"One thing is for sure, there will be a lot of fireworks from both sides for sure. He’s playing so freely, he has a lot of power in his shots and I’ve never won a set off him but hopefully the experience can work in my favour."
Norrie leaves SW19 having become only the fourth British man in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam semi-final. Coming into this fortnight he had only reached the third round at a Slam before, but has now truly made himself a household name across Great Britain.
You wouldn’t have known it was Djokovic playing in his 43rd Grand Slam semi-final compared to Norrie’s competing in his first from watching the opening set, as the Brit broke his opponent three times to start the match.
Norrie’s spin variation off both sides and patience in the rallies proved effective against the Serbian in the opening set. The Brit kept chipping away at his opponent in the long exchanges and eventually took a one set lead over the six-time champion - who made a very uncharacteristic 12 unforced errors and only won 20% of points off his second serve in the first set.
Sensing an opportunity, with his opponent struggling to find rhythm, Norrie turned the aggressor in the second set, but Djokovic began to raise his level. The warning signs were there for Norrie, who had to save break point at 2-1 with a huge cross court forehand and then twice again at 3-2 as Djokovic made a couple of costly errors. But the Serbian finally got his breakthrough on the Brit’s following service game after an easy volley went wayward from the world No.12. So, after an hour and 10 minutes we were back level.
Renowned for being one of, it not the greatest returner of all-time, Djokovic struck again at the start of the third with a timely break to set him up perfectly for the rest of the set. With his serve now fully back on track, Djokovic lost only three points on serve in the set as he began to pull away in the match.
Norrie was under pressure straight away in the fourth as well. A poor drop shot gave the Serbian the time and space he needed to set up a pivotal break point, which he took the first time of asking. For the first time this fortnight, Norrie looked unable to find the answers to the sheer quality being thrown at him.
Norrie was under pressure straight away in the fourth as well. A poor drop shot gave the Serbian the time and space he needed to set up a pivotal break point, which he took the first time of asking. For the first time this fortnight, Norrie looked unable to find the answers to the sheer quality being thrown at him.
The British No.1 started to work his way back into the match and did well to save three break points at 3-1 down, but it proved a little too late in the end. It was a clinical performance from Djokovic, who played some masterful grass court tennis – converting 26 of 32 points at the net – as he kept his nerve to serve out the match and reach his 32nd Grand Slam final,