TORONTO — British number two Cameron Norrie suffered a shock exit from the Canadian Open after a straight-sets defeat to Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic in the second round. The world number 99 delivered a dominant performance, winning 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the third round of the ATP Masters 1000 event.
Norrie, seeded 13th in Toronto, struggled to find his rhythm against the aggressive baseline play of Vukic, who capitalized on unforced errors from the Brit. The defeat marks another early exit for Norrie, who has faced inconsistent form in recent months. "I just couldn’t find my game today," Norrie admitted in his post-match press conference. "Credit to Vukic—he played really well and took his chances."
A Disappointing Performance from Norrie
Norrie, who reached the semifinals in Los Cabos last week, was expected to make a deeper run in Toronto. However, Vukic’s relentless attacking style disrupted his usual consistency. The Australian broke Norrie’s serve twice in the first set and maintained pressure throughout the match.
Key factors in Norrie’s defeat included:
- A low first-serve percentage (just 56%)
- 23 unforced errors compared to Vukic’s 15
- Only converting one of five break-point opportunities
Vukic’s Breakthrough Moment
For Vukic, ranked outside the top 90, the victory over Norrie is one of the biggest wins of his career. The 27-year-old has primarily competed on the Challenger circuit this season but showcased his ability to compete at the highest level in Toronto.
"I knew I had to be aggressive and take the match to him," Vukic said post-match. "Norrie’s a great player, so I’m really happy with how I executed my game plan." His next opponent will be either seventh seed Jannik Sinner or Matteo Berrettini.
Norrie’s Struggles in 2023
This loss adds to a challenging season for Norrie, who has struggled to replicate his 2022 form, where he won two ATP titles and reached the Wimbledon semifinals. His 2023 record now stands at 26-18, with early exits in several key tournaments:
- Second-round loss at the Australian Open
- Third-round exit at Roland Garros
- First-round defeat at Wimbledon
Looking Ahead to Cincinnati and the US Open
With the US Open just weeks away, Norrie will need to regroup quickly. He is scheduled to compete in the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati next week, another crucial Masters 1000 event. "I’ll take the positives, work on a few things, and try to bounce back," Norrie said.
Reactions from the Tennis World
The upset drew reactions from analysts and fellow players. Former British No. 1 Tim Henman noted, "Norrie’s usually so solid, but today he was outplayed. Vukic took his opportunities, and Cam just couldn’t respond."
Meanwhile, Australian tennis legend Todd Woodbridge praised Vukic’s performance: "This is a massive win for him. Beating a top-20 player in straight sets shows he belongs at this level."
Conclusion: A Tough Day for Norrie
Norrie’s early exit in Toronto is a setback in his bid to regain momentum ahead of the US Open. While Vukic advances with confidence, the Brit must reassess his game and find solutions before Cincinnati. As the hardcourt season heats up, Norrie will hope to rediscover the form that once made him a consistent threat on tour.
For now, the focus shifts to Vukic, who continues his dream run in Toronto. "I’m just going to enjoy this moment and prepare for the next match," he said. "Every win at this level is huge for me."