Wimbledon 2021: Cameron Norrie units up potential Roger Federer conflict
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British quantity two Cameron Norrie reached the Wimbledon third spherical for the primary time with a surprising straight-set win towards Australian wildcard Alex Bolt.
Norrie, 25, has been one of many main gamers on the ATP Tour this yr, demonstrating his type and skill on Courtroom One in a 6-3 6-1 6-2 victory.
The twenty ninth seed misplaced the primary three video games earlier than profitable 11 in a row.
He broke twice extra within the remaining set and will face Roger Federer subsequent.
Eight-time champion Federer, 39, performs France’s Richard Gasquet in a while Thursday.
When requested about the opportunity of taking part in the Swiss 20-time Grand Slam champion, Norrie joked: “Come on Gasquet!”
The smiling Briton added: “Each are very skilled gamers and [it is] one other alternative to get out on the court docket.
“If there’s a time to play Roger, I suppose now could be the perfect – however he’s nonetheless a good participant!”
Whoever he faces, Norrie appears to be like certain to offer them a tricky take a look at.
Bolt, ranked 149th, was handed a wildcard after profitable a Challenger title in Nottingham final month and made a lightning begin as he tried to earn a ninth successive victory.
However Norrie rapidly computed what he wanted to do towards one other left-hander, continuously making his opponent play along with his relentless returning.
“It was a difficult begin, he got here out firing and I used to be down a break,” stated Norrie, who beat French former world quantity 10 Lucas Pouille within the second spherical on Wednesday.
“I felt the court docket was simpler to maneuver on than court docket two yesterday and I might actually belief the foot.
“I used to be transferring actually robust out the corners and did not give him an excessive amount of. There was a variety of enchancment from the opposite day.
“I am very comfortable to be within the third spherical and I could not be extra happy for myself.”
Probably third time fortunate towards one of many ‘Large Three’?
Solely two gamers have gained extra matches than Norrie on the ATP Tour this yr – Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas and Russia’s Andrey Rublev, who’re each ranked within the high 10.
Norrie has climbed to a career-high rating of thirty fourth, resulting in him being seeded at a Grand Slam for the primary time.
Regardless of that success, and reaching the Queen’s remaining within the run-up to Wimbledon, there’ll nonetheless be lots throughout Britain who know little about his pedigree.
Born in South Africa to Scottish and Welsh mother and father, he switched allegiance to Britain in 2013 and has loved by far the perfect yr of his profession in 2021.
Reaching the Wimbledon final 32 means he has made the third spherical on the previous 4 Grand Slams – and will face one of many sport’s all-time greats for the third time working.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal beat him at this yr’s Australian Open and French Open, however Norrie confirmed sufficient in each of these matches – and says he has discovered from taking part in extra of the largest names in current months – to probably trigger an upset.
