Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the US Open match.
In the third round of the US Open, Novak Djokovic will face Cameron Norrie. For Novak Djokovic, this is a familiar stage where he traditionally raises his level. For Norrie, this is a chance to try to make it competitive against an opponent against whom the head-to-head is heavily one-sided.
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic has progressed comfortably through the first two rounds, beating Learner Tien and Zachary Svajda by a 10-game margin. Across those two matches, the Serb struck 17 aces and averaged 80% of first-serve points won. The third round has long been a successful stage for Novak; across his last 30 matches at this stage at the majors (Grand Slams), he has lost only once.
Cameron Norrie
Cameron Norrie arrives after a gruelling four-set contest against Francisco Comesaña, in which he came through via tie-breaks (7:6, 6:3, 6:7, 7:6). In the current season, Norrie has seldom produced assured tennis, particularly against elite opposition: there have been 14 defeats in 15 matches versus top-10 players. The most recent head-to-head with Novak Djokovic, at Roland-Garros, ended in a straight-sets win for Novak in three sets.
Novak Djokovic vs Cameron Norrie Prediction
The gulf in class looks clear. Novak Djokovic has already found a comfortable rhythm and should close this out without much resistance. The only realistic route for Cameron Norrie is to hang on for a tie-break, yet even that appears unlikely, given the Briton has lost all six head-to-head meetings to the Serb.
