ALL ENGLAND CLUB, LONDON — Novak Djokovic booked his spot in an eighth Wimbledon final with a 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 win over Cameron Norrie to end the British No.1's hopes of a first Grand Slam final appearance.
Norrie took the first set off the three-time defending champion with relevant ease but Djokovic soon found his rhythm and his best tennis to ensure he'll be the one facing Nick Kyrgios in Sunday's final.
While Kyrgios goes into that match relatively refreshed following Rafael Nadal's withdrawal due to an abdominal tear, Djokovic heads to the Centre Court showpiece continuing to rack up quite ridiculous numbers.
He's now won 27 consecutive matches at SW19, and today's victory is his 85th Wimbledon match win and his 333rd Grand Slam match triumph.
This will be Djokovic's 32nd major final, one more than the previous record set by Roger Federer. He'll now go for a historic 21st Grand Slam title in a bid to close the gap on Nadal's record of 22 majors.
Djokovic insists they'll be "fireworks" in Sunday's showpiece with Kyrgios as he looks to dash the Aussie's dreams of a first Grand Slam singles final win.
"One thing is for sure: there is going to be a lot of fireworks emotionally from both of us!" Djokovic said. "I've never won a set off him — hopefully, it can be different this time!"
The Sporting News was on hand to bring you live updates from Centre Court — check out how the action unfolded below.
Novak Djokovic vs. Cameron Norrie result
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | - |
| Cameron Norrie | 6 | 3 | 2 | 4 | - |
Novak Djokovic vs. Cameron Norrie score updates and highlights from 2022 Wimbledon semifinal
All times BST
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*Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 Cameron Norrie - DJOKOVIC WINS FOURTH SET AND THE MATCH
Norrie puts the first return well wide before Djokovic mishits a simple forehand from the base line, 15-15. He makes amends with an ace down the middle. Norrie's back level with cheers of encouragement as Djokovic drills a forehand wide. Djokovic gets match point as Norrie returns long again. He can't return the next either and Djokovic wins it! He's into Sunday's final against Nick Kyrgios. A valiant effort from Norrie but after an opening set blip Djokovic found his best form to win comfortably.
Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 6-2 5-4 *Cameron Norrie
Norrie isn't rolling over for Djokovic, but at 30-0, he can't get to a delicate drop shot of the Serb's. Norrie goes on to get the hold and now needs to find a way to break Djokovic to stay in the match.
*Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 6-2 5-3 Cameron Norrie
Djokovic wants this wrapped up now. He has Norrie running all along the base line on several points until he can no longer return. He seals the game with an ace.
Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 6-2 4-3 *Cameron Norrie
Norrie gets some energy back on serve, a lovely backhand winner down the line taking him to 30-15. He's rapid from back right to front left of the court to to whip a forehand over the net and goes on to hold.
*Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 6-2 4-2 Cameron Norrie
That long game to hold serve has taken it out of Norrie a little, he hits back-to-back backhands into the net to fall 40-0 behind. Djokovic serves up an ace to hold and move within two games of the final.
Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 6-2 3-2 *Cameron Norrie
Djokovic apologies as the power of his forehand shot sees the ball catch the top of the net and trickle over, 15-15. Djokovic misses a backhand drop shot at 15-30 but then gets break point as Norrie's reactions at the net don't come off and his volley sails out. He saves it with a brilliant forehand across court from the base line. The unrelenting Serb gets another break point, this time a controlled backhand volley is out of his opponent's reach. He's denied again. A third comes and goes, Norrie smashing one at the net with intent to suggest he's not giving up without a fight. The fourth is saved with an ace and Norrie goes on to hold.
*Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 6-2 3-1 Cameron Norrie
Norrie can only take a point off Djokovic in this one. It's going to take something special to stop the 20-time Grand Slam champion from here it seems.
Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 6-2 2-1 *Cameron Norrie
A couple of big serves gets Norrie to 30-0 before he hits a delicious forehand winner to the back right, something he's been trying to do correctly for the past few games. Djokovic hits the net at the next and Norrie is on the board in this fourth set.
*Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 6-2 2-0 Cameron Norrie
The crowd continue to rally behind Norrie but no amount of noise is putting Djokovic off. Points are won from all areas of the court to get the Serb to 40-0 before Norrie's return doesn't come close to landing in.
Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 6-2 1-0 *Cameron Norrie
A delicate drop shot off the back hand leaves Djokovic no chance, 30-0. Norrie, frustratingly, follows that up with a double fault and an overhit forehand. Djokovic soon has break point as he punishes Norrie's decision to lure him to the net and then thee latter's forehand goes long.
Novak Djokovic *2-6 6-3 6-2 Cameron Norrie - DJOKOVIC WINS THIRD SET
Djokovic is reading everything Norrie's trying to do. He guesses correctly at the net and gets to 30-15. An ace earns him two set points but he only needs one as Norrie crashes a forehand into the net.
Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 5-2 *Cameron Norrie
Djokovic hits back-to-back forehands wide down the right side, 30-0, but gets level as his opponent makes two mistakes. Djokovic hits himself gently on the head with his racket in frustration after his drop shot is all wrong and Norrie runs in to fire one past him. Norrie gets the hold but faces a tricky test in trying to break Djokovic next.
*Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 5-1 Cameron Norrie
Norrie is struggling to return the 118mph serves Djokovic is regularly teeing up. The British No.1 then provides his opponent with an easy volley at the net before sending a backhand wide.
Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 4-1 *Cameron Norrie
Djokovic has Norrie doing plenty of the running in the opening few points and gets to 15-30. Norrie responds with a big serve but then Djokovic gets to break point, slipping mid-rally, but staying in it and waiting for Norrie to make the mistake. Djokovic gets the break and is in complete control right now.
*Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 3-1 Cameron Norrie
Djokovic doesn't look anywhere close to giving up his serve right now. He hits two races en route to another comfortable hold.
Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 2-1 *Cameron Norrie
And now the backhand errors are creeping in too, 0-15. He makes amends with back-to-back forehand winners into either corner and then causally hits a volley, 40-15. Djokovic looks to his box for answers before returning long.
*Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 2-0 Cameron Norrie
While Djokovic is finding some rhythm with his forehand, there's a fw too many errors slipping into Norrie's. The Serb holds to love again.
Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 1-0 *Cameron Norrie
Norrie shows he still has plenty of energy left in the tank as he sprints to the left side at the net to dink the ball over to take the opening point. A couple of points play out at the net and both go Djokovic's way, 15-30. The next, Norrie waits for a high ball to come down and bounce this time, and smashes it down the middle, 30-30. His efforts then come undone with a poorly overhit forehand to give Djokovic break point. He denies him twice and the second time Djkovic takes a tumble after slipping. It's third time lucky though as Norrie hits a wayward forehand.
*Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-3 Cameron Norrie - DJOKOVIC WINS SECOND SET
Djokovic double faults before a poor backhand drop shot can't find its way over, 0-30. Two big serves get the defending champion level and then Norrie's awkward double-handed forehand goes wide to present set point. A long rally ends with Norrie hitting one long and Djokovic takes the second set.
Novak Djokovic 2-6 5-3 *Cameron Norrie
The crowd and Norrie both can't believe he's missed a backhand volley when running to the net, 15-30. He then misses in almost a replay of the same shot to gift Djokovic two break points. Djokovic gets it, Norrie being too eager to hit a winner and sending his forehand long. Djokovic will now serve to level things.
*Novak Djokovic 2-6 4-3 Cameron Norrie
Djokovic isn't making the same amount of unforced errors that plagued him in the opening set and he's picking his corners now. He holds to love.
Novak Djokovic 2-6 3-3 *Cameron Norrie
Norrie should do better as he waits an age for a high ball to come down but he smashes it into the net, 15-30. Djokovic then can't return with a backhand. The Serb gets break point courtesy of Norrie putting a forehand wide down the left. He saves the first and then another as het goes on to hold with Djokovic putting a backhand long.
*Novak Djokovic 2-6 3-2 Cameron Norrie
Norrie said he was going to take the game to Djokovic today and boy is he doing that so far. He goes on the offensive with a big forehand and volley to take the opener. Djokovic is soon back in control, a double handed backhand winner down the line the pick of the bunch on his way to holding serve.
Novak Djokovic 2-6 2-2 *Cameron Norrie
Norrie hits his third ace of the match to get to 30-0. Djokovic gets a point back with a fierce backhand out wide and then Norrie, who should do better, smashes a forehand just wide and is unsuccessful with his challenge. Djokovic earns break point as Norrie's sliced forehand doesn't make it over. He saves it with a volley after Djokovic did brilliantly well to return a forehand into the corner. Another ace followed by a weak Djokovic return gives Norrie the hold.
*Novak Djokovic 2-6 2-1 Cameron Norrie
A few forehand errors from Norrie get Djokovic to 40-0 and the Serb closes the game with a big overhead smash at the net.
Novak Djokovic 2-6 1-1 *Cameron Norrie
Aside from a few double faults so far, Norrie's serve has been brilliant. - Djokovic can't return another, 30-0. Djokovic gets a point back with a nice volley before Norries messes up a shot at the net which he'd ran from the back of the court to make, 30-30. He times the volley to perfection on the next point though and then Djokovic's forehand shot goes beyond the base line.
*Novak Djokovic 2-6 1-0 Cameron Norrie
If Djokovic does still have a few early nerves then a hold to love here will help settle him.
Novak Djokovic 2-6 *Cameron Norrie - NORRIE WINS FIRST SET
Having broken Djokovic for the third time in four service games, Norrie needs this hold to keep the momentum going. He gets to 30-0 comfortably but then double faults to allow Djokovic back in. He makes amends by drilling an ace to set up two set points.He double faults again before hitting another ace to take it. There's a huge fist pump to the crowd and he knows he's got Centre Court rocking!
*Novak Djokovic 2-5 Cameron Norrie
At 15-15, Djokovic goes for a big forehand winner but gets his angles wrong and it lands wide. Djokovic then attempts to lure Norrie in with a drop shot but the Briton is quick to make it to the net and returns it. Two break points! A mammoth rally ends with Norrie upping the pace on his backhand and Djokovic can't return it on his forehand. He'll now serve for the opening set.
Novak Djokovic 2-4 *Cameron Norrie
Norrie gets to 30-15 with a massive serve down the middle that Djokovic can only return long and the same happens again at the next point. The Serb only returns to the net at the next.
*Novak Djokovic 2-3 Cameron Norrie
Norrie is giving it everything so far in the baking heat. He gets another break on Djokovic... he can't have wished for a better start. Plenty of easy mistakes for Djokovic so far though.
Novak Djokovic 2-2 *Cameron Norrie
A brilliant opening rally sees Djokovic have to play a tweener lob having ran to the back of the court to get Norrie's initial lob. Djokovic wins the rally with a volley at the net. At 15-30, Djokovic hits back-to-back forehands long before another error gives Norrie an important hold.
*Novak Djokovic 2-1 Cameron Norrie
That's more like what Norrie can expect from Djokovic today. Comfortable service game as he picks up his first ace before sealing the game with a neat forehand winner.
Novak Djokovic 1-1 *Cameron Norrie
Norrie puts an easy forehand wide to go 15-30 down and put some unnecessary pressure on his himself. He then can't clear the net with a backhand and Djokovic has two immediate points to break back. Norrie follows Djokovic in an opening poor service game as the Serb gets the break.
*Novak Djokovic 0-1 Cameron Norrie
Huge cheers from the crowd (expect plenty of that for Norrie) as the British No.1 wins the first point of the match as Djokovic hits one into the net. A couple more Djokovic backhands hit the net and Norrie has two break points. Djokovic claws two back but Norrie then comes to the net and hits a lovely volley out of his opponent's reach. What a start for Norrie!
3.20pm: Warm ups done... here we go!
3.15pm: Norrie leads Djokovic out on Centre Court to a huge round of applause. British fans will hope that's not the only time he leads Djokovic in the next few hours...
3.10pm: Norrie and Djokovic will be taking to the court any minute now. Norrie is pacing up and down outside the locker room waiting for Djokovic.
2.55pm: The last time these two met back at the ATP Finals in November, Djokovic dropped just three games in a straight sets victory - 6-1 6-2.
Norrie has suggested he'll be playing a lot more aggressive today in order to ensure the result is a completely different outcome.
"It's going to be a tough one against Novak obviously, but I'm looking forward to the challenge," said Norrie.
"I think I'm going to take it to him. I think last time I played him in Turin in another big tournament, he played very good and I think I learned a lot from that. I think I'm going to approach it a little bit differently tactically."
2.40pm: Norrie had to overcome David Goffin in five sets to secure his spot against Djokovic in the semifinals. Here's how Djokovic found out he'd be playing the British No.1...
2.20pm: Hello, it's Wimbledon semifinals day and Great Britain still have a player in contention! Step forward Cameron Norrie, playing in his first Grand Slam semifinal and looking to become the first British male player to reach a Wimbledon final since Andy Murray's triumph in 2016.
Standing in his way? The small matter of 20-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic...