GENEVA — Novak Djokovic survived a stern test from Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the semi-finals of the Gonet Geneva Open, rallying from a set down to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 and crush British hopes of a first ATP title in Switzerland since 1999.
The world No. 1, playing his first tournament since a shock early exit at the Italian Open, looked vulnerable early on as Norrie’s aggressive baseline game and relentless left-handed angles pushed him to the brink. However, Djokovic’s trademark resilience and clutch play in decisive moments saw him through after two hours and 33 minutes of gripping tennis.
A Rocky Start for Djokovic
Norrie, ranked 44th in the world, came out firing, breaking Djokovic’s serve in the opening game. The British No. 1 dictated play with deep forehands and sharp slices, forcing Djokovic into uncharacteristic errors. "I knew I had to start strong," Norrie said afterward. "Against Novak, if you give him rhythm, he’ll destroy you."
Djokovic struggled to find his timing, particularly on his backhand, which misfired multiple times in the first set. Norrie sealed the opener 6-4, marking the first time Djokovic had dropped a set to the Brit in their four meetings.
The Djokovic Fightback
The second set saw Djokovic gradually settle into the match. He began to exploit Norrie’s weaker second serve and upped his aggression, particularly on returns. A pivotal moment came at 5-5, when Djokovic broke Norrie with a stunning cross-court backhand winner, before serving out the set 7-5.
The decider was a tense affair, with both players holding serve until the ninth game. Djokovic, sensing his opportunity, unleashed a series of blistering forehands to break Norrie, then closed out the match with a hold to love. "I had to dig deep today," Djokovic admitted. "Cameron played an incredible match, and I had to raise my level when it mattered most."
Key Takeaways from the Match
The match highlighted several crucial aspects of Djokovic’s game and Norrie’s growing threat on clay:
- Djokovic’s Mental Toughness: Despite a slow start, the Serb never panicked, relying on his experience to turn the tide.
- Norrie’s Improved Clay-Court Game: The Brit, traditionally stronger on hard courts, showcased his adaptability with clever shot selection.
- Serve Struggles: Both players faced difficulties on serve, with Djokovic landing only 54% of first serves.
What This Means for Roland Garros
With the French Open just days away, Djokovic’s hard-fought win raises questions about his form. While he demonstrated his trademark grit, unforced errors (42 in total) and inconsistent serving could be concerning. "I’m still finding my rhythm," Djokovic conceded. "But matches like this help me prepare for the bigger battles ahead."
For Norrie, the loss was bittersweet. Despite falling short, his performance against the 24-time Grand Slam champion signals his potential to make a deep run in Paris. "I proved I can compete with the best," he said. "Now it’s about taking that confidence into the next tournament."
Conclusion: A Warning Sign for Djokovic?
While Djokovic ultimately prevailed, the match exposed vulnerabilities that his rivals—particularly Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz—will look to exploit at Roland Garros. For now, the Serb remains the favorite, but his path to a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title may be tougher than expected.
Norrie, meanwhile, leaves Geneva with renewed belief. His fearless display against Djokovic suggests that British tennis fans may have more to cheer about in the coming weeks.
The Gonet Geneva Open final will see Djokovic face either Tomas Machac or Tallon Griekspoor, as he seeks his first title of the season ahead of the French Open.