NORRIE SEEKS TIPS TO LAND HIS BIG PRIZE
CAMERON NORRIE will pick the brains of his fellow Brits Andy Murray and Dan Evans as he attempts to cash in on the biggest payday of his career today. The British No.2 stands to pick up a cool £97,800 if he wins the cinch Championships at Queen’s Club but in the final he faces the formidable figure of big hitting Italian world No.9 Matteo Berrettini – who turfed out both Murray and Evans.
The confident, in-form Norrie registered the 29th win of an excellent year so far last night as he superbly outfought fiery Canadian number two seed Denis Shapovalov 7-5 6-3 in his semi-final.
Norrie, now facing his fourth ATP Tour final – he has lost the other three – and his first on grass, said: “I will have a chat to Evo and Andy to see if they have any tips for me.
“I have watched Berrettini throughout the week. He has a huge serve. He is one of the best players on the Tour at the moment.
“He has a good forehand and he likes to drop shots, so it is not going to be easy.
“It hasn’t sunk in. I played very well. I was extremely good on some big points.
“I am so pleased to be through to the final.
“I cannot even describe it. It’s nice to get over the line – it was a tough match.”
Only one Brit has won Queen’s since the Secondworldwar and that is Murray, who won it five times – the last victory coming in 2016.
Norrie said: “Absolutely that is an incentive. It is a huge tournament for me, one of my biggest achievements so far.
“I couldn’t be more pleased. Let’s see if I can now go one better.”
An added bonus for Norrie, 25, is that this win earned him a place in the seedings atwimbledon for the first time.
Fifteen of his wins this year have come against players ranked higher than him.
Berrettini beat Evans in the quarter-finals and put out Australian Alex De Minaur in his semi-final yesterday with a comprehensive 6-4 6-4 win.
Norrie got off to a nervous start against Shapovalov, ranked 15th in the world, double faulting twice in his opening game to go 0-1 down.
But the South African-born Norrie fought back brilliantly to break and level the scores at 3-3, then clinched the set with a glorious backhand as Shapovalov went tumbling.
The Queen’s crowd roared Norrie on as Shapovalov, 22, had to have treatment from the physio at one point for a knee problem.
Norrie pounced to go 5-3 up and there was no stopping him.