Cameron Norrie has an early start to his SW19 campaign as Britain’s No.1 takes on Spain’s Pablo Andujar at No2 Court. The 26-year-old has yet to reach the second week of a Grand Slam and bravely went down against Roger Federer in the third round last year.
The world’s number 12 will take his chances against Andujar in what will be the pair’s first meeting. It has been a mixed year so far for Norrie, who made it to the third round of the French Open and fell at the first hurdle at the Australian Open.
However, Norrie, who took his first clay-court title in Lyon and before, reached the end of the Mexican Open, losing to Rafael Nadal. As Britain’s No. 1, navigating is certainly a minimum requirement for the first week, starting this morning on an outdoor track. Follow all the action with Matt Verri at Wimbledon!
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Norrie 3-0* Andujar
This is a really confident showing in Norrie’s opening stages. Two consecutive points won with big forehands and he’s 40-0 in a matter of seconds.
Backhand down the line, falls just inside the line and it’s a foothold to love the Brit.
Norrie *2-0 Andujar
Twice, Andujar has framed a backhand perfectly on the line – nothing happy about a big forehand down the line to move up 30-0.
First double foul of the game followed by an unforced foul by the Spaniard and it’s twice.
And that is far from Andujar, Norrie has a breaking point. Second serve to attack as well. Norrie dominates the rally, forcing another foul and it’s an early break for the Brit! Perfect start.
Norrie 1-0* Andujar
Confident departure from Andujar. First real rally of the match sees Spaniard Norrie working around the field, Brit can only find the net. 30-30.
A nice drop shot provides a comfortable smash for Norrie, before sealing an opening hold of the serve as Andujar hammers a forehand from the second serve into the net.
Warm up done – hopefully Norrie got all the bad smashes out of his system.
Brit will serve first.
Players are on the court, it’s almost time to get Wimbledon 2022 going!
Court 2 is filling up nicely before the British number one gets his campaign going.
Will be a decisive day for hopes of a deep run from a British singles player, with Raducanu and Murray later.
Little cloud of the gray variety over Wimbledon this morning.
Assuming it stays away, the players should be on Court 2 in about ten minutes.
Elsewhere on day 1
Later this afternoon, Novak Djokovic will be on Center Court first, before Emma Raducanu and then Andy Murray begin their Wimbledon campaigns.
Jodie Burrage, Heather Watson and Ryan Peniston are among the other British hopes in action on Day 1.
Lots to look forward to!
12 months ago…
Norrie’s best Wimbledon performance came a year ago when he reached the third round.
Roger Federer ended his run at Center Court, as the Briton was defeated in four sets.
Since then, Norrie has grown stronger and stronger. He is ninth seed this year and while Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray are attracting a lot of attention, there is a good chance he will be the last Briton in singles.
Few matches on grass
It was not the best preparation for Norrie on his way to Wimbledon.
He was defeated in the first round at Queen’s by Grigor Dimitrov, before winning just one match at Eastbourne as the top-class rider.
However, Andujar has only won the main draw at Wimbledon three times, in eight appearances.