Will practice make perfect for Norrie as he faces mate?
Cameron Norrie must hope he has not helped contribute to his own downfall as he prepares to face Tommy Paul today for a place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
Ninth seed Norrie is Paul’s fourth-consecutive left-handed opponent and he has been practising with the American this tournament to help prepare him for the contests.
Now the two, who are good friends, will do battle for real as both look to continue careerbest Grand Slam runs.
Norrie found himself as the highest-ranked player left in his quarter of the draw as early as the second round and, after needing five sets to see off Jaume Munar, steamed through against Steve Johnson on Friday.
Norrie will be the favourite again today but Paul, the 30th seed, has been having a strong grass-court season and the British No. 1 will certainly not be looking too far ahead.
“The draw still has good players in it,” he said. “It’s nice to make the second week.
“There’s no easy guys out there. Tommy won really comfortably (against Jiri Vesely in round three). He seems really locked in, and he really likes the grass. It’s going to be really tough regardless if the draw is open or not. At the end of the day, I’ll take it again.
“We’ve actually practised maybe two or three times already here at Wimbledon. We know each other’s game very well. We’re good friends off the court. But we’re going to leave that aside and it’s going to be a battle, for sure.”
Heather Watson is also through to the fourth round, though, and will play for the seventh day-in-a-row.
The 30-year-old’s first two singles matches were both played over two days while yesterday she teamed up with Harriet Dart to move through to the third round of the women’s doubles.
Watson attributed her run here partly to the good feelings doubles has generated, saying: “I feel so confident with me and Harriet as a pair. And I think playing with Harriet in Eastbourne last week is what’s helped me here this week.
“I’m a big believer in and lover of doubles. Now in my singles I’m coming to the net more. I think if anything it helps – just not too much.”
Watson first reached the third round of a Grand Slam in singles here a decade ago but has never previously managed to make it further.
She would have had a day off on Sunday had Wimbledon not decided to schedule play throughout the 14 days for the first time this year.
Instead, she will take on 22-year-old German Jule Niemeier on Centre Court in what is undoubtedly a fine chance to reach a first Grand Slam quarter-final.
“I’m really excited,” said Watson. “Back into focus mode now. I’ll keep hydrating, go see the physios, take care of my body, get an early night. I wouldn’t mind a day off but I don’t mind playing either because I’m in a groove.”