
Cameron Norrie sinks Jarry in five-set Wimbledon epic to set up Alcaraz quarter-final
The Briton has been on a purposeful journey over the past few years and, after enduring one of the most difficult periods of his career, he has rebounded with even greater courage and self-belief. He drew upon those qualities in the final moments of one of the most significant wins of his career as he held his nerve to close out a 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (7), 6-7 (5), 6-3 win over the qualifier Nicolás Jarry.
The victory marks Norrie's second grand slam quarter-final, having reached his first en route to the semi-finals at the All England Club in 2022. Despite the greater attention that other players receive, he is again the last British player standing at Wimbledon.
After spending such a long time watching his lead shrink against an opponent who fired down 46 aces, Norrie dragged himself over the line, using his supreme competitive spirit and composure to hold on.
Next he will face Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion and second seed, after he defeated the 14th seed Andrey Rublev 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, on Tuesday. The recent trajectory of Norrie's career has been fascinating. Having already been struggling with his form in 2024, a left biceps injury compounded his misery.
From his career high ranking of No 8, he fell as low as 91st in May. Norrie is an extremely ambitious person and at his lowest point, as he compared his frustrating level to his form when he reached the top 10, he was weighed down by his own expectations.
He has found his way by focusing solely on his enjoyment of the sport, finding happiness and satisfaction in every single workout, practice and match, regardless of the result. Now, on the biggest stages, his results are also a source of joy again.
This was always likely to be a significant challenge. Having climbed as high as No 16 last year, Jarry has fallen to a ranking of No 143 in large part due to a severe case of vestibular neuritis, an ear condition that has affected his balance, perception and vision, leading to spells of dizziness. The Chilean stands at 6ft 7in and at its best, his serve is untouchable.
As Jarry fired down aces at will, shutting his opponent out of his service games for much of the match, Norrie took care of his own service games brilliantly, winning all 25 and courageously saving all eight break points he faced throughout the match. The pair would combine to work through 38 consecutive service holds in the match.
After establishing a two-set lead, Norrie held a match point on his serve in the third set tie-break at 6-5, but Jarry took the racket out of Norrie's hand with his relentless attack and serving as he forced a fourth set.
More than an hour later, Jarry's flawless serving performance and bold, relentless aggression allowed him to force a fifth set in another tie-break. As Norrie desperately tried to land returns, to chase down every ball and offer his opponent no free points, he was rewarded for his doggedness as the Chilean opened the set with a poor service game, allowing the Briton to seal the decisive break.
Sign up to The Recap
The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action
after newsletter promotion
Norrie brilliantly held on to his serve throughout the final set, saving three break points as he closed out a monumental win that further re-establishes him at the top of the men's game.
As Norrie sealed the match with a running forehand passing shot, a grand slam quarter-finalist once more, he tossed his racket into the air and rolled on the grass in glee.
'Honestly, I don't know. I think credit to Nico, he did an unbelievable job staying with me,' said Norrie. 'He played better than me in both tie-breaks. I didn't want to let his gamestyle bother me so I just kept fighting.'
The shifting scoreline was not the only source of drama on No 1 court. Jarry had complained to the umpire Eva Asderaki about Norrie's ball bouncing between first and second serves. Then, as they convened for the handshake, Jarry expressed his displeasure with Norrie's tendency to cheer loudly after almost every successful point.
Although their extended discussion prompted boos from the crowd, Norrie and Jarry eventually shook hands and the Briton applauded his beaten foe as Jarry departed: 'He said I was a little bit vocal and I think: 'That's my energy,'' Norrie said. 'I just said: 'Man, you competed so well, you hung in there so well.' It was an amazing, competitive match and I loved it.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
18 minutes ago
- The Sun
Arsenal ‘close in on Viktor Gyokeres transfer as Andrea Berta flies to Portugal for face-to-face talks with Sporting'
ARSENAL are close to securing the long-awaited signing of Viktor Gyokeres. The Gunners have been desperate for a centre-forward and now appear set to get their man. 2 2 Gunners' sporting director Andrea Berta flew to Portugal for talks at the end of last week to push the deal through, according to CNN Portugal.


Wales Online
25 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Clare Balding moves to explain strange markings on Wimbledon star's back
Clare Balding moves to explain strange markings on Wimbledon star's back Ben Shelton beat Lorenzo Sonego 3-6 6-1 7-6 (7-1) 7-5 at Wimbledon to progress to the quarter-finals Ben Shelton and the marks on his shoulder and back (Image: BBC ) Ben Shelton is through to the quarter-finals of Wimbledon for the first time after his thrilling win over Lorenzo Sonego. American Shelton progresses to the last eight for the first time in his career and now faces the winner of Jannik Sinner and Grigor Dimitrov, who play this evening. The 10th seed won the match 3-6 6-1 7-6 (7-1) 7-5 and the Centre Court crowd certainly took to the US star, who played in a sleeveless white top. On his left shoulder were visible dark, circular markings which caught the eye of viewers, spectators and BBC host Clare Balding, who remarked while Shelton signed autographs: "Great stuff from Ben Shelton, he's a huge personality as well as a phenomenal tennis player. "He's into the quarter-finals for the first time. Goes one stage further than his dad Bryan who he was talking about there... those marks, by the way, on his shoulder, those are not tattoos, that's from cupping, it's bit like what the swimmers do and it really pulls the blood to surface." Cupping therapy is the practice of putting cups on a person's skin for a few minutes to create suction. The idea behind it is to draw blood to or away from parts of your body, helping with pain relief and inflammation. It is commonplace in others sports, too. Article continues below Shelton said post-match: "It was difficult. "I feel like every time I play Lorenzo Sonego, every time I need a big point he comes out with a highlight shot. Maybe it's the same vice-versa as well. It was a lot of fun. "I'm getting very comfortable out here on court one, I love playing in front of you guys. I was told that the crowds here at Wimbledon, before I came over here for the first time, were a bit quieter but I've got to say I didn't feel that today." He added that his father was his inspiration growing up. Bryan Shelton, who is also Ben's coach, was a professional player and reached the same stage at SW19 during his own career. "Definitely my dad," he added. "He was in the round of 16 here 31 years ago, give or take. He loved a serve and volley. "He had a big serve, he came forward all the time and he would like to see me come forward more than I am. My argument is that I think I'm better than him from the baseline. "He inspires the way that I play on grass." Ahead of the final game against his opponent, he revealed he was desperate for the set not to go the distance again. "I don't want to play another tie-breaker!" he admitted. "I didn't want to do it, especially against a guy who is serving the way he is. Usually you don't get the same chance twice, so I wanted to make sure I capitalised on the first one at 15-40. Article continues below "I'm happy with the way I played that last game. "I felt like that was my best tennis, my best returning, and that's what I'm going to need to continue in this tournament. For me to end the match with that game, it gives me a lot of confidence moving forward."


Wales Online
25 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Carlos Alcaraz says 'I saw him' as late-night Cameron Norrie observation emerges
Carlos Alcaraz says 'I saw him' as late-night Cameron Norrie observation emerges Cam Norrie faces off against Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the quarter-finals in SW19 on Tuesday Cameron Norrie faces Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the quarter-finals (Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images ) Cameron Norrie is still flying the flag for Britain at this year's Wimbledon and he is now set to face the daunting task of Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals. The defending champion, fresh from his Grand Slam win in Paris last month, will lock horns with Norrie on Centre Court on Tuesday afternoon. Both players had to dig deep for their place in the last eight, with Norrie seeing off Nicolas Jarry in a four-hour epic on Sunday. There was a bit of needle between the pair too, with an animated handshake taking place after the match concluded. 'For both of us, we really wanted to win the match,' said Norrie. 'Yeah, I think it was obviously frustrating for him to lose. I just told him, 'Man, that was unbelievable level. You competed so well, and I loved the way you kind of responded'. "It was such a good match. The atmosphere was really good. 'I think he just said I was being a little bit too vocal, but I was aiming directly at my team and pulling from the crowd. The atmosphere of the court was so, so good. Article continues below 'Honestly, nothing but credit to Nico for his performance. And to see him not only playing at that level, you know, seeing him enjoying his tennis and coming through quallies so easily and dropping guys, so I wish him all the best. 'I guess we both really wanted to win. It was a huge match, so I can understand where he's coming from.' Alcaraz, meanwhile, had to come from a set down to beat Andrey Rublev 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-4 6-4 under the lights on Centre Court. He now faces Norrie, whom he was beaten in four of their six career meetings - although the latter won their most recent battle in the final of the Rio Open in 2023. The Spaniard says he has already spotted the lengths Norrie is going to to improve his game, catching him practising night and day at Queen's recently. 'Facing Cam is always really, really difficult,' said Alcaraz. 'We have really difficult battles already. 'For me facing him is almost a nightmare, to be honest. Really tough from the baseline. I'm not surprised he's in the quarter-final playing great tennis because I've seen him practicing. 'When he lost at Queen's, he stayed for five days practising morning, afternoon and night. "I saw him. So I'm not surprised at all seeing his level. Article continues below "So it's going to be really different. 'He's playing at home, as well, so he's going to use the crowd on his side. I have to be really strong mentally and focused to play good tennis if I want to beat him.'