GENEVA — British tennis star Cameron Norrie has secured a thrilling semi-final clash against world No. 1 Novak Djokovic after a hard-fought victory over Argentina's Tomás Martín Etcheverry at the Gonet Geneva Open. The 28-year-old left-hander battled through a grueling three-set match (6-4, 3-6, 6-4) to book his place in the last four, marking his first ATP Tour semi-final appearance of the 2025 season.
Norrie, currently ranked No. 22 in the world, showcased his trademark resilience on the Swiss clay courts, saving 12 of 15 break points faced during the 2-hour, 38-minute encounter. "It was a real battle out there," Norrie said in his post-match interview. "Tomás made me work for every single point, but I'm proud of how I stayed composed in the big moments."
A Tactical Masterclass
The match proved a fascinating contrast in styles, with Norrie's consistency and court coverage ultimately overcoming Etcheverry's powerful baseline game. Key statistics from the encounter:
- Norrie won 72% of first-serve points compared to Etcheverry's 65%
- The British No. 1 converted 4 of 7 break point opportunities
- Norrie hit 28 winners to 32 unforced errors, while Etcheverry recorded 35 winners but 42 unforced errors
Norrie's ability to extend rallies and force errors proved decisive in the final set, particularly during a crucial 14-point game at 4-4 where he finally broke the Argentine's resistance. "That was probably the turning point," Norrie admitted. "I just kept putting balls in play and waited for my opportunity."
Djokovic Awaits in Semis
The victory sets up a blockbuster semi-final against 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, who received a bye in the first round before defeating young Italian Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets. This will be the fifth meeting between the two players, with Djokovic holding a 3-1 advantage in their head-to-head record.
Their most recent encounter came at last year's ATP Finals in Turin, where Djokovic prevailed 6-3, 6-4. However, Norrie's sole victory came on clay at the 2022 Italian Open, giving him confidence ahead of Friday's showdown. "I know what it takes to beat him on this surface," Norrie said. "I'll need to be aggressive and take my chances when they come."
Djokovic's Form Concerns
The Serbian superstar has shown uncharacteristic vulnerability in recent months, suffering early exits at both the Monte Carlo Masters and Italian Open. After his second-round win, Djokovic admitted: "I'm still searching for my best level. Geneva is an important tournament for me to find rhythm before Roland Garros."
This presents Norrie with perhaps his best opportunity yet to score a statement victory over the tennis legend. The British player's coach, Facundo Lugones, told reporters: "Cam's physical condition is perfect right now. He's moving better than ever on clay, and that will be crucial against Novak."
Road to the Semis
Norrie's path to the semi-finals has been impressive:
- First Round: Defeated qualifier Hugo Gaston (FRA) 6-3, 7-6(4)
- Second Round: Overcame No. 8 seed Sebastian Korda (USA) 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-3
- Quarter-Finals: Beat Tomás Martín Etcheverry (ARG) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
The British No. 1 has shown particular improvement in his serve this tournament, averaging 68% first serves in play across his three matches. His ability to protect his second serve (winning 58% of points) will be critical against Djokovic's renowned return game.
What's at Stake
Beyond the prestige of defeating one of tennis' all-time greats, Friday's match carries significant ranking implications. A victory would propel Norrie back into the ATP Top 20 and give him valuable momentum heading into the French Open, where he reached the third round last year.
For Djokovic, the Geneva Open represents his final competitive outing before defending his Roland Garros title. The 37-year-old is chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam and needs match practice after his disrupted clay-court season.
Conclusion
Norrie's gritty performance against Etcheverry demonstrated why he remains one of the tour's most dangerous competitors on clay. While Djokovic enters as favorite, the British player's relentless work ethic and improving clay-court game make this semi-final far from a foregone conclusion.
As Norrie put it: "I've got nothing to lose out there. Novak's the greatest, but I believe in my game and my ability to cause problems for anyone on this surface. It should be a great match." Tennis fans worldwide will be tuning in Friday afternoon to see if the British underdog can pull off what would be one of the biggest wins of his career.