By Tony Fairbairn at Wimbledon
- Cameron Norrie [9] def Steve Johnson 6-4 6-1 6-0
- Norrie v Tommy Paul [30]| H2H: Norrie leads 2-1
LONDON, ENGLAND – Cameron Norrie thrashed Steve Johnson at in straight sets to reach the fourth round of a grand slam for the first time and will now face Tommy Paul.
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Cameron Norrie [9] def Steve Johnson 6-4 6-1 6-0
Cameron Norrie is into the second week of a grand slam for the first time in his career after thrashing Steve Johnson at Wimbledon. The opening set produced high-quality tennis early on with Norrie feeling confident from the baseline while Johnson’s serve was dialled-in. Throughout the opening set it was the Brit who looked like breaking the most as he neutralised Johnson’s power with effective point construction mixed with efficient net skills.
The American remained resistant throughout the opening set with big serving on the pressure points as well as a great mixture of slice and power. Norrie also showed his ability to ride the wave of pressure from his opponent as he hit deadly serves and power, giving Johnson not many short balls to attack.
Eventually it was Norrie who broke with an immaculate return game which was sealed a wonderfully chased backhand winner from a poorly-executed Johnson dropshot. That secured the opening set and was the start of a ruthless next couple of sets from the Brit, who could do no wrong.
Norrie was aggressive and clinical in attack and stern in defence as Johnson found no way past the Brit. The Brit continued to finish points off the net was illustrated in the first break of the second set as he took a 3-0 lead. Johnson’s only game of the last two sets came as he held in the next game and put some mini-pressure on the Brit to try and restore the break deficit.
The ninth seed remained strong on serve and resisted the American’s returning pressure as he continued to neutralise the rallies from the baseline and be clinical in the court. Some stunning returning sealed another break as Norrie took a two sets to love lead. The third set was more of the same as some insane defensive shots saw him break in a long ten minute.
Johnson produced a flurry of errors in the third set as Norrie won all six games to complete the bagel and a comfortable victory over the American to reach the last 16 of a grand slam for the first time in his career. After the win Norrie admitted he was relaxed and enjoyed the occasion on Centre Court:
“Today I was very, very relaxed. Maybe one of the bigger matches in my career obviously to make the second week for the first time,” Norrie admitted.
“I had a great opportunity today and I managed to play the level that I wanted to. Honestly, I wasn’t too nervous out there today. Before that I would have signed for that, playing Stevie Johnson in the third round. I think the matchup was good. He’s obviously really tricky. Yeah, I played really well today and enjoyed it. Played pretty freely and settled into the match nicely.”
Cameron Norrie [9] v Tommy Paul [30] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Cameron Norrie [9] v Tommy Paul [30] | H2H: Norrie leads 2-1 |
| Wimbledon | London, England |
| Grass (O) | Prize Money: £190,000 |
| Second on Court No. 1, not before 2:30 BST | BBC Sport |
Norrie will now face another American in the last 16 in the form of good friend and practice partner Tommy Paul.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)
| H2H: | Cameron Norrie (WR 12) | Tommy Paul (WR 32) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R3 (2021) | QR3 (2019) |
| 1st Serve % | 66.2 | 61.7 |
| Service Games Won % | 80.5 | 79 |
| Break Points Saved % | 61.4 | 63.6 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 53.9 | 46.7 |
| Break Points Converted % | 41.2 | 38.6 |
Norrie has marginally been the more consistent player this season but the American’s improvement on serve is evident.
Playing Styles and Prediction
Paul has had a great grass court season so far having already beaten Jannik Sinner, Denis Shapovalov and Stan Wawrinka heading into Wimbledon an has now reached the last 16 at SW19 for the first time. The American’s gradually playing better with each passing week with an all-round game to match any player on tour.
Norrie will need to be at his very best to win this match as Paul will bring a more consistent level to this match than Johnson did. The American will look to dictate points from the baseline while finding the right time to find aggressive patterns of play. If Norrie plays like he did in the third round then he should make the quarter-finals but any slip in concentration and the American will capitalise. A golden opportunity awaits both players.
Prediction: Norrie in four sets.
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