Last Brit standing Cameron Norrie will have to produce a stunning turnaround to stay in Wimbledon after losing the first two sets of his quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz on Centre Court.
Norrie is Britain’s last hope of Wimbledon success in the men’s or women’s singles after Jack Draper suffered a shock exit to Marin Cilic in the second round and Emma Raducanu was beaten by top seed Aryna Sabalenka on Friday.
The 29-year-old, who has been as high as world No 8 but came into this year’s Championships with a ranking of 61, won a five-set thriller over Nicolas Jarry on Monday to book a tantalising quarter-final against Alcaraz to keep hope of a Brit triumphing at Wimbledon alive.
Arsenal and England footballer Bukayo Saka was among those cheering on Norrie on Centre Court, while hundreds of fans flocked to Wimbledon’s famous Henman Hill to support the Brit. His Gunners team-mate Jurrien Timber watched alongside him at SW19.
A blistering start from Alcaraz out the gate put Norrie a set down after just 28 minutes, with the world No 2 rewarded for an excellent display of strokes in the opening stages.
Despite attempting to battle back, having lost the first set 6-2, Norrie found himself further behind by losing the second 6-3, with Alcaraz continuing to show his dominance.
Alcaraz, Wimbledon’s reigning champion, has been tested frequently throughout this year’s Championships, having been taken to five sets on the opening day by Fabio Fognini in the first round.
After cruising past Britain’s Oliver Tarvet, he endured tougher tests against Jan-Lennard Struff and Andrey Rublev before reaching the quarter-final against Norrie.
More to follow.
Cam Norrie lost the first set of his quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz after just 28 minutes
The world No 2 looked in fine form as he claimed the first set 6-2 against the last Brit standing
Fans flocked to Wimbledon’s famous Henman Hill to watch Norrie take on Alcaraz on Tuesday
Bukayo Saka (right) and Jurrien Timber (left) watch on as Norrie faces off against Alcaraz