Cam’s ready to take centre stage
CAMeRON NORRIe’S stock is on the rise. Promoted to a more prestigious court. equalling his career-best run at a Grand Slam. Now, with Andy Murray out of the picture, the British No 1 will get the centre stage he craves. ‘I’m in it to win it,’ he admitted.
Although he did not grumble, it must have rankled with ninth seed Norrie that he was farmed out to Court 2 for his first-round match on Monday. After all, he is the first Brit to be seeded in the top 10 at Wimbledon in five years.
However, the 26-year- old was upgraded to Court 1 yesterday against Jaume Munar.
And Centre Court surely awaits after Norrie squeaked past the screeching Spaniard in five sets — 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 — to become the first home player to reach round three this year. ‘I was really appreciative from the club to put me on Court 1,’ he said. ‘I made the most of it and enjoyed it.’
Born in South Africa, raised in New Zealand and universityeducated in America, Norrie is still fighting for recognition among the British public.
The world No 12 has been unfortunate to be playing on the same day as Andy Murray and emma Raducanu, who have hogged Centre Court so far. Yet he will be the focus of a nation’s attention tomorrow for his thirdround match against American Steve Johnson, who saw off fellow Brit Ryan Peniston yesterday.
Norrie has never reached the second week of a major but is the highest- seeded player left in his quarter of the draw.
Who knows, cries of ‘ come on Cam’ could become the sound of our summer if he goes as far as his talent and ranking suggest.
‘I’ve been saying all year I wanted to make the second week for the first time at a Slam,’ he said. ‘This is the biggest tournament of the year for me, being at home. I want to prove I can do it at Slams, not just at other tournaments.’
Norrie seemed to relish the occasion of his first five-setter at Wimbledon, even if it was a slog. He admitted he was lucky to win the first set, but the tide turned in the second set when Norrie was broken in his first service game. His beast of a forehand became erratic and he struggled to find an answer to Munar’s huge serve.
Munar broke Norrie three times in the third set to go in front, but Norrie took himself off court for a reset and came back a new man, bageling Munar — who was struggling with cramp — in 26 minutes.
Munar’s movement improved in the decider after getting treatment from the trainer. But Norrie broke his serve three times, clinching victory when Munar dumped a forehand into the net.
Next up is the powerful and experienced Johnson, who crushed Peniston 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, bringing the Brit’s dream summer to an end. The 26-year-old admitted he was pinching himself after reaching
the second round, after runs to the quarter- finals at Nottingham, Queen’s and eastbourne.
Peniston was given a rude awakening by Johnson, although does leave £78,000 better off. ‘The last five weeks have been the best five weeks of my life,’ he said.