Queen’s 2021
British number two Cameron Norrie will bid for his first ATP Tour title on Sunday after reaching the final at Queen’s Club with a superb display.
Norrie, 25, sealed an impressive 7-5 6-3 semi-final victory over second seed Denis Shapovalov of Canada.
He will face Italian top seed Matteo Berrettini at the Cinch Championships in his fourth final and first on grass.
Five-time champion Andy Murray is the only Briton to have won the Queen’s title in the Open era.
Norrie has now won 29 matches this year – more than any other player except for Russia’s Andrey Rublev – and 15 of those victories have been against players ranked above him.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” said the world number 41. “I think I played very well today and I’m so pleased to be through to the final here.”
Berrettini, who overcame Murray and British number one Dan Evans in earlier rounds, dominated Australian fourth seed De Minaur to come through his semi-final 6-4 6-4.
“He has a huge serve, he’s one of the best players on the tour at the moment,” said Norrie.
“I might have a chat with Dan and Andy and see if they have any tips. I saw him play earlier today and he had a really good day. It’s not going to be easy.”
Norrie returned to court later on to partner Alex de Minaur against Reilly Opelka and John Peers in the doubles semi-finals, and they trailed 7-6 (7-3) 2-2 when play was suspended for the day.
In the wheelchair tournament, Britain’s Gordon Reid beat Joachim Gerard 7-6 6-1 13-11 to reach the singles final but French Open champion Alfie Hewett withdrew because of a back injury.
Norrie had the benefit of finishing his quarter-final win over fellow Briton Jack Draper on Friday, whereas Shapovalov had to return to complete his 6-3 6-4 victory over American Frances Tiafoe on Saturday.
Norrie started nervously and two double faults and two unforced errors handed world number 14 Shapovalov the opening game.
The Canadian, 22, raced through his opening service game but Norrie played his way back into the match and broke his fellow left-hander to love in the sixth game.
Norrie recovered from 0-30 down to hold serve in the 11th game and he took the set by breaking Shapovalov with a fizzing backhand which hit the line.
Shapovalov, who needed treatment on his left leg early in the second set, found Norrie’s aggressive baseline game difficult to deal with.
The Briton had two chances to break serve in the sixth game of the second set but overhit a passing shot and then paid the price for a conservative volley at the net as a fired-up Shapovalov fought back.
But Norrie attacked Shapovalov’s serve relentlessly and sealed the vital break with a backhand winner down the line before clinching victory with a confident service game.
