Novak Djokovic vs Cameron Norrie LIVE: Italian Open result after tense last-16 match
Djokovic defeated Norrie 6-3 6-4 to reach the Italian Open quarter-finals in a match that was full of needle
Cameron Norrie left his mark on Novak Djokovic but saw his Italian Open run end in the fourth round. The world number one was simply too solid for Norrie in a 6-3 6-4 victory that maintains his record of never having lost before the quarter-finals in Rome.
The main talking point came in the fourth game of the second set as Norrie sought to retrieve an early break. Djokovic turned his back on the play after presenting his opponent with an easy smash, only for Norrie, seemingly unintentionally, to drill the ball into the Serbian’s legs.
Djokovic gave the British number one an extremely frosty stare and there was an edge to the contest thereafter, but Norrie never really threatened to land more than a glancing blow.
The 27-year-old, who had lost both his previous meetings with Djokovic, dropped serve at the start of the contest and was kept at arm’s length through the rest of the opening set, with the six-time champion putting on a tactical masterclass.
*Novak Djokovic 6-3 0-1 Cameron Norrie
Norrie sends an ace down the line to get the opening hold - important as he was broken in his opening service game in the first set.
*denotes next server
Novak Djokovic 6-3 Cameron Norrie - Djokovic wins first set
Djokovic’s first-serve has been awesome so far, and a forehand winner to get ahead is too. The 35-year-old then sends Norrie racing around to pop a volley over the net. First serve, forehand winner - unstoppable.
Two more set points: Norrie finds his best shot of the match as he returns Djokovic’s second serve with a backhand winner, so flat and cutting from that angle.
But then Djokovic finds his first serve and finds his spot, forcing Norrie into the miss as he ran onto his forehand side.
That’s the first set - and you’ve got to say it was a pretty comfortable one for Djokovic to win.
*Novak Djokovic 5-3 Cameron Norrie
Wow - a supreme forehand winner from Djokovic, leaning back and taking the time before unloading down the line. It moves him to 0-30 on the Norrie serve, before a loose forehand from the British No 1 goes a few feet long of the baseline.
Two set points for Djokovic - but Norrie saves them both! Djokovic shot a stare at some noise in the crowd after a forehand went long on the first, before Norrie produced a big serve out wide to save the second.
And Norrie gets through. Djokovic pushes a forehand wide and Norrie hangs on, but will it be enough?
Novak Djokovic 5-2 Cameron Norrie*
The unforced errors from Norrie continue to pile up, as a backhand crosscourt is pushed wide to move Djokovic a game away from the first set.
*Novak Djokovic 4-2 Cameron Norrie
Is there some edginess growing here? Djokovic’s roar at the end of the previous game looks to have fired Norrie up. He connects with a couple of fine winners, and then gets a bit of a gift as Djokovic went long with a forehand down the line.
Novak Djokovic 4-1 Cameron Norrie*
An interesting thing to note so far is Djokovic’s serve. He’s hitting a much slower second serve at around 76 mph, taking the pace out of the ball in a reflection of his wider approach. Djokovic has just been floating balls to the baseline and asking Norrie to produce his own pace and power, with the Serbian clearly confident that he can handle the British No 1’s offensive weapons.
Djokovic lets out a huge roar as he claims his next hold, and increases his lead to 4-1!
*Novak Djokovic 3-1 Cameron Norrie
Norrie faces break point but comes up with the ace out wide to force deuce, before a flying winner down the line earns him a hold to get on the board. A start.
Novak Djokovic 3-0 Cameron Norrie*
As if to illustrate that last point, Norrie tries a dropshot crosscourt from a difficult angle to concede the next game to 15. Norrie is offering a few glimpses but his weapons are not threatening Djokovic, who is in charge of this opening set.
*Novak Djokovic 2-0 Cameron Norrie - Djokovic breaks!
Djokovic forces the early errors from Norrie to get the first break of the set. There is good variation from Djokovic, just asking the question of his opponent, and Norrie clips the netcord and then sends a forehand wide from 30-30, almost trying to do too much. Norrie needs to perfect here and those errors won’t do.
Novak Djokovic 1-0 Cameron Norrie*
It looks like there will be a lot of long baseline rallies on slower and heavier conditions this morning in Rome - Djokovic goes to the drop shot to win the opening point, and then scrambles to lob Norrie and edge ahead 30-15. Djokovic then stays patient and takes the opening hold as Norrie goes long.
*denotes next server
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments