Cameron Norrie cannot stop Novak Djokovic’s charge towards 100th ATP title

Novak Djokovic will bid for a a centesimal tour-level title on the Geneva Open after ending Cameron Norrie’s encouraging week within the semi-finals.

The 24-time grand slam champion has been caught on 99 since profitable an emotional Olympic gold medal final summer season, dropping finals in Shanghai final 12 months and in Miami within the spring.

However he can have one other likelihood to succeed in the milestone when he takes on Hubert Hurkacz on Saturday after beating Norrie 6-4 6-7 (6) 6-1.

It has been a tricky season to this point for the previous British primary however he has discovered some type on the clay and got here by qualifying in Switzerland earlier than making it to the final 4.

He had gained just one set in 4 earlier conferences in opposition to Djokovic and managed one other right here earlier than his problem light within the decider.

Norrie regarded sturdy early on however Djokovic, who turned 38 on Thursday, started to use constant stress and, having saved break factors within the fifth sport, he was damaged within the seventh, with the second seed happening to take the opening set.

Errors crept into the Djokovic sport within the second, although, and Norrie had an opportunity to pressure a decider when he led 5-2 just for the Serbian to avoid wasting a set level and pull degree.

Djokovic missed a match level within the tie-break earlier than a backhand extensive gave the set to Norrie however the British participant, who faces Daniil Medvedev within the opening spherical of the French Open, was shortly on the again foot within the third set and couldn’t get better.

In his on-court interview, Djokovic mentioned: “It was the toughest match of the tournament for me so far for sure. Second set he was a break up and I managed to come back, tie-break, match point, I got a bit tight there, missed a couple of mid-court shots.

“That’s what happens but I’m really glad how I regrouped in the third and played really the best set of the tournament. It means a lot so let’s go for a title.”

Earlier, Hurkacz defeated Sebastian Ofner 6-3 6-4 within the different semi-final.