Brit Cameron Norrie matches Novak Djokovic feat as remarkable form continues

Andy Murray and Ash Barty pay tribute to each other

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British tennis star Cameron Norrie has continued the best season of his career by reaching the last eight of the Indian Wells Masters in California. The Briton reached the quarter-finals of an ATP 1000 tournament for the first time by beating home favourite Tommy Paul despite “not really playing my best”.

And the win was a significant one, as it saw him match Novak Djokovic for the number of matches won in 2021.

That feat would be impressive in any year, but considering the Serbian’s achievement’s this year it is a remarkable milestone for the Briton.

Djokovic won three Grand Slams this year and reached the final in the other, as well as victory in an ATP event in his home city Belgrade and another final appearance at an ATP Masters event in Rome in May.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner has been victorious in 44 matches in 2021 – a figure now matched by Norrie after his win over Paul.

That victory puts him sixth on the list of men’s players this season, with more potentially to come.

Norrie was especially pleased to come through a scrappy game to reach the quarter-finals of an ATP Masters 1000 tournament for the first time.

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“I think it was obviously a tricky match going in, big match for both of us,” he said after his win over Paul. “I started well, started very solid and was serving great. I think I had very few unforced errors.

“I think I played one loose game at 5-1, and I think I lost a little bit of confidence on my serve and then ended up not serving as well for the next hour or so. I managed to stay tough throughout.

“I think the biggest thing today was I was pretty level-headed and fought as hard as I could every point, and there was no easy way to win.”

Norrie faces the Argentine Diego Schwartzman in the last eight, who dispatched world number 10 Casper Ruud in the previous round.

The Briton knows he will need to be at the top of his game to see off the former French Open semi-finalist and he would become British No. 1 with a victory here.

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“I’m very happy to show my level at this event and to be through to the quarter-finals – my first one,” he told reporters.

“It was a great win for me, especially to come through Tommy who is not easy and who beat Andrey [Rublev] a couple of days ago.

“I couldn’t be any happier, but there is no time to really enjoy it too much. I’ve got a big task at hand against Diego. He’s been one of the most solid players on tour for the last couple years, and he’s there every week. It’s not going to be easy.

“He’s playing well, as well. He beat Casper, one of the most in-form players this year, and he couldn’t be any more confident. And to beat him so comfortably, he must be playing great.

“I know I’m in for a war with Diego and I’m looking forward to going out there and competing with him. Let’s see who can fight harder and run longer. I think it’s going to be a long match.”

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