“Try and take a chunk out,” Mats Wilander lays down an ultimate plan for Cameron Norrie to stun Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon
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Cameron Norrie and Novak Djokovic
British No.1 Cameron Norrie continued his dream run at Wimbledon 2022 by beating David Goffin in the quarterfinal in five tight sets 3-6,7-5,2-6,6-3,7-5 to reach his maiden grand slam semifinal. He also became only the first home player since Andy Murray to reach the last 4 at Wimbledon.
Norrie so far hasn’t played a higher-ranked opponent this fortnight and in the semifinals, he will face the top seed and three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic. It is a no-brainer that Djokovic will be the overwhelming favorite to win the match but Norrie will have the underdog tag to his name and will also be massively backed by the home crowd.
7-time grand slam champion Mats Wilander spoke to Eurosport about how Norrie can beat Djokovic. He emphasized on keeping the intensity high in the first hour and keep up the same according to the match situation.
“It’s all the first hour,” Wilander said. “You’ve got to leave it out there physically in the first hour. Then it’s all about the second hour [where] you’ve got to leave it out there physically.”
He said that Djokovic is about 10 years older than Norrie and hence the Brit may have a physical advantage in the match and hence should try to drain Djokovic out.
“And then it’s about Novak being 35 years old, and you being 10 years younger, and you keep pushing and pushing. Maybe it’s not your time, but maybe the person in the finals has a chance to beat Novak,” Wilander said.
‘I think he[Norrie] can do it if he gives the 15,000 fans a reason to cheer’: Mats Wilander
Wilander lauded Djokovic and said that in order to beat him, one has to take a chunk out of him every time, and even if it might not be Norrie’s time to beat him, he has to bring out his best game in order to be competitive.
“You have to try and take a chunk out of Novak every time you meet him, and it might not be Norrie’s time to beat him, but you’ve got to do your best for as long as possible,” he said.
He added that Norrie will receive massive support and if he gives a reason to the home fans to cheer for him, he may have a chance to put Djokovic in the back seat.
“I think he can do it if he gives the 15,000 fans a reason to cheer and have another Pimm’s, and there is a chance that he can keep Novak – the big favorite – out there,” he said.
Also Read: “I am missing him” Rafael Nadal chooses Roger Federer over Novak Djokovic as his greatest rival
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Lakshya Chopra
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