Norrie’s out to be a smash hit in the top 20...
Starts Today
French Open
CAM NORRIE has targeted cracking the world’s top 20 after being put on collision course with Rafa Nadal at the French Open.
The in-form British No.2 has reached two finals on clay this season and won 23 matches – the third best on the ATP Tour.
Norrie, 25, is up to 14th place in the singles race of results this year – ahead of Dan Evans – before Roland-Garros starts in the French capital today.
Now the super-fit South African-born star, Britain’s best singles player in the last two Grand Slams, does not want his run to end.
The world No.45 said: “I’ve had some good wins this year.
“The biggest thing is that I am enjoying tennis and proving myself against some of the best guys out there.
“I think I can get into the top 20 in the world. If I am 14th in the race it means I am doing a couple of things right. I just need to keep doing what I am doing and keep putting guys in tough situations on my terms.
“I play pretty physically and I can try to use that to my advantage at Roland-Garros.
“I’ll back my legs against anyone at the moment. It has been a lot of fun. I am looking forward to everything.”
Norrie beat world No.4
Dominic Thiem last week before losing to world No.5 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Lyon Open final.
But after starting against American qualifier Bjorn Fratangelo in Paris, 13-time champion Nadal is looming in the third round.
He has played the King of Clay twice this year in Melbourne and Barcelona without winning a set.
But Norrie, who reached the third round at the US and Australian Opens, said: “I have got to get past two tough ones first and then we will see.
“If I do meet Rafa, I will hope to play very well and use that heading into the grass. When the rallies are that physical, with a great athlete like Rafa, I am going to raise my level.”
Eurosport pundit Mats Wilander (left) said: “Cam is the player all the big names would have been wanting to avoid in the first round – I like him very much over five sets.
“He is keen, he is fit, he is fast. He has got a great mindset. He is a tough act.”
■■ WORLD No.1 Novak Djokovic won the 83rd title of his career yesterday with victory on home soil at the Belgrade Open. The Serb beat Slovakian qualifier Alex Molcan 6-4 6-3 in 88 minutes at the Novak Tennis Centre.