‘Underdog’ Norrie edges Medvedev battle

Norrie hadn’t defeated a Top 20 talent since January 2024 and had lost all four previous encounters against the mercurial Medvedev, most recently when the US Open 2021 champion dismissed him 6-4, 6-2 at the Rome Masters on clay earlier this month. On Tuesday, it was the day of the underdog.

“It was a crazy match,” Norrie said. “I was really happy with how I handled the match and how I had to fight literally every point to have a chance with him. It was just pure emotion at the end and pure instinct. It was a good throw.”

The former world No.8 tasted Masters 1000 glory at Indian Wells 2021 and reached a Grand Slam semi-final on home courts at Wimbledon 2022, but yet counts Tuesday’s triumph among his finest victories.

"For me, top three (win) in terms of pure matchups," said Norrie. "I think I have an absolutely terrible matchup against Daniil in terms of the way we play, the game style.

“He absolutely gives you nothing. There's no easy way to win points against him. I lost to him two weeks ago. He completely chopped me in Rome.

“For me, outside of Alcaraz and Sinner, Novak, would be probably the fourth toughest draw for me in terms of matchups and players. Extremely good win, especially my record with [Medvedev]. No.11, in a Slam, beating him in five sets is impressive for me.

“He's honestly one of my favourite players. The way he plays, the way he moves, the way he makes it so difficult for the other player, I love watching him play. He's a very nice guy. He's one of the kings of competitiveness, just nice to beat him.”

Norrie peaked at world No.8 three years ago and has since wrestled with injuries and fluctuating form. The 29-year-old is far from downbeat though, accepting of the situation and eager to create more moments like those on Court Simmone-Mathieu on Tuesday. 

“I had to go play quallies last week in Geneva. I was so pumped to play, so pumped to prove myself again,” he said.

“It's actually quite fun to have that opportunity. Anyone you play, you're most likely underdog. You can go play, no expectations. It's so much fun. It's a completely different perspective.

“Obviously you fight for trying to be in the Top 10, try to stay there. It was difficult for me to try to get a lot of momentum last year with some injuries.

“It's part of the game. I didn't really have any major injuries. I was really pushing the beginning of the year to play well, to play well, to play well. It was not coming.

“I accepted it. It's a different outlook, but I'm still enjoying my tennis a lot. I'm still getting to play the best tournaments in the world, so it's perfect for me.”

Having navigated through qualifying in Geneva earlier this month, Norrie came up against eventual champion Novak Djokovic and pushed the 24-time major winner all the way in a 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-1 rumble.

“I think it was really helpful to play Novak last week in the semis," he said. "I felt it was just a continuation of that match today. It was like playing the fourth set against Novak in the first set against Daniil.”

“I really felt prepared. You can take the confidence from last week, qualifying and playing five really good matches back-to-back. I managed to do it again.”