British Tennis Star Cameron Norrie Defeats Frances Tiafoe to Secure His Spot in Wimbledon Third Round
Britain’s Norrie Drops the Opening Set Against Tiafoe at Wimbledon
Norrie had a rough patch with two poor serves—ones he’d surely want to put behind him quickly. Down 0-30.
Tiafoe charged the net and volleyed Norrie’s return down the line to bring up 0-40.
Norrie hung in on the next point, as Tiafoe sent a routine forehand straight into the net.
On serve again, Norrie followed it up well, but Tiafoe anticipated the cross-court shot and was ready for it. Still, he couldn’t keep the return in play—it drifted long!
A near-identical point followed, and once again, Tiafoe couldn’t convert. Even if he had, Norrie looked set to win it with a well-placed shot. Game tied at deuce.
Then came a brilliant serve from Norrie. two engaged in another thrilling rally before Norrie fired a clean winner—and let out a yell in Tiafoe’s direction. There seems to be some tension simmering between these two rivals.
2:57PM
Norrie* 4-6, 6-4, 3-2 Tiafoe
He followed it up with a brilliant drop shot. Norrie read it well and rushed forward, but his cross-court forehand missed the mark, landing just wide. 0-30.
Two powerful serves from Norrie helped him level the score at 30-all.
Norrie tried to step into his forehand for a winner, something he’s been aiming to do more often. But this time, the shot sailed wide. 30-40.
Tiafoe displayed impressive agility, darting to his left and redirecting the ball with precision, then followed it up with a smart drop shot that drew Norrie to the net. Norrie chased it down, but couldn’t convert.
Tiafoe held his serve with confidence
2:54PM
Norrie 4-6, 6-4, 3-1 Tiafoe*
Tiafoe delivered a brilliant lob to take a 15-love lead.
However, Norrie responded with two stunning winners, and Tiafoe followed with a half-volley that went wide. Norrie unleashed fierce power through his forehand, full of intensity.
With two break points in hand, Norrie capitalized on the first with another thunderous forehand that Tiafoe couldn’t return.
A display of aggressive and commanding tennis from the British player.
Norrie secures the service break.
2:48PM
Norrie* 4-6, 6-4, 2-1 Tiafoe
Norrie delivered three excellent serves, though a double fault slightly blemished an otherwise flawless sequence. 40-15.
He then sealed the game with a brilliant backhand placed deep into the corner, leaving the American off balance and unable to respond.
Norrie successfully held his serve.
2:46PM
Norrie 4-6, 6-4, 1-1 Tiafoe*
Tiafoe’s serve hasn’t been as consistent as his opponent’s at the moment, giving Norrie more opportunities to score points.
With the score tied at 30-all, Norrie lifted a high lob into the air. Tiafoe sent it right back toward him, giving Norrie a chance to go for a powerful smash—but it narrowly missed, landing just outside the tramline
Tiafoe finally closed out the game with a much-needed strong serve.
2:41PM
Norrie* 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 Tiafoe
Solid service game to love from Norrie.
Norrie holds serve.
2:37PM
Norrie 4-6, 6-4 Tiafoe*
Norrie successfully got the serve back and almost reached Tiafoe’s cross-court approach shot. Tiafoe missed the opportunity, putting Norrie ahead at 0-15.
Norrie constructed a solid point but missed a forehand into the open court, even with Tiafoe completely out of position. 15-all.
A double fault followed, giving Norrie a 15-30 lead.
Norrie began finding more success against Tiafoe’s serve.
He continued to apply pressure with a smart play, though he should’ve capitalized on a drop shot that floated a bit too high. Tiafoe showed great speed to reach it and pass Norrie. 30-all.
Norrie answered with style—moving Tiafoe side to side, then unleashing a strong forehand that caught him off balance. 30-40. Another break point—and this time, a set point! Could he convert one?
Not quite yet—his soft return on the second serve sailed past the baseline. Back to deuce.
What followed was a thrilling rally. Both players fired strong groundstrokes until Norrie struck a forehand winner to earn another set point.
Tiafoe managed to level things again with a blocked return that pushed Norrie back. Deuce once more.
Tiafoe’s first serve continued to falter. He rushed to put away a weak return from Norrie but sent it just wide. Advantage Norrie.
Tiafoe tried serve-and-volley tactics, but Norrie chased it down and fired a stunning passing shot down the line. It was world-class! Absolutely deserved. What a way to clinch the set. The crowd rose to their feet!
Norrie broke serve.
Norrie won the set.
2:28pm
Norrie* 4-6, 5-4 Tiafoe
Norrie starts with two shaky serves and needs to shake off the last game quickly. 0-30.
Tiafoe steps up to the net and easily volleys Norrie’s down-the-line attempt. 0-40.
Norrie stays in the rally as Tiafoe misfires a routine forehand into the net.
Following his serve, Norrie aims a cross-court shot, which Tiafoe reads perfectly—but can’t keep in play. It sails just long!
A near-identical point follows, and once again, Tiafoe fails to control the return. Either way, it likely would’ve been a winner. Deuce.
Norrie fires a powerful serve.
2:23pm
Norrie 4-6, 4-4 Tiafoe*
Norrie successfully held his serve.
On Tiafoe’s weak second serve, Norrie’s return was poor—sent criminally long.
Ace. 30-love.
Smart play—Norrie charges the net, anticipates the net cord bounce, and adjusts just in time to put away the volley. 30-15.
This time, a solid return from Norrie on the second serve. He kept Tiafoe on the backfoot, forcing him into a net error.
Double fault. It’s Norrie’s second break point of the match. Can he capitalize?
Tiafoe responds with a smooth, well-placed forehand to stay in the game. Back to deuce.
Norrie with a strong return again, and Tiafoe fails to move his feet in time—another shot into the net.
Yet another break point.
Norrie returns a powerful serve and reads Tiafoe’s forehand, but as he goes for a cross-court pass, Tiafoe is already at the net with a sharp volley. Great tennis. Back to deuce.
A 140 kph ace follows.
Another big serve seals the game—an important hold that surely frustrates Norrie.
Tiafoe holds serve.
2:16PM
Norrie* 4-6, 4-3 Tiafoe
Great return! Love-15.
Both players exchanged some fantastic groundstrokes, and Norrie finished the rally with a beautiful cross-court winner. 30-0.
Another deep forehand proved too powerful for Tiafoe to handle. 30-15.
Norrie kept moving Tiafoe around the court and sealed the point with another brilliant winner to make it 40-15.
This time, Norrie’s passing shot went wide. 40-30.
Excellent! A solid hold.
Norrie successfully held his serve.
2:13pm
Tiafoe was playing some brilliant tennis. He had Norrie on a string—sending him left and right—before finishing the point with a killer forehand.
After another long rally, Norrie hit the net. 30-0.
Norrie targeted Tiafoe’s weaker backhand with a sharp forehand, forcing the American to send the ball into the net. 30-15.
Ace! 40-15.
Norrie unleashed a whipping cross-court forehand, pulling Tiafoe wide. The return—a backhand—hit the net. 40-30.
Boom! After a powerful return of serve, Norrie fired a strong cross-court forehand to bring it back to deuce. Fantastic point!
Norrie followed up with some heavy groundstrokes, and Tiafoe mistimed his forehand. Advantage Norrie.
Ace. Norrie painted the line perfectly, and Tiafoe could only nod in approval.
But this time, Tiafoe responded with another ace down the middle. Advantage Tiafoe.
Norrie went for a deep shot but missed the mark. What a pity—he was so close, but Tiafoe stepped up just when it mattered most.
Tiafoe held his serve.
Well, at least Norrie did get a break point—his first of the match. But Tiafoe came back with three ruthless serves, shutting the door on that opportunity. The American outplayed the Brit on multiple fronts.
2:06PM
Norrie* 4-6, 3-2 Tiafoe
A powerful serve to start the point. 15-0.
Tiafoe showed great speed to chase down Norrie’s drop shot, but he pushed it just a bit too far. 30-0.
He went for another forehand, but once again it sailed too deep. 40-love.
orrie delivered a powerful serve to close out the game with confidence.
Norrie holds serve.
2:04PM
Norrie 4-6, 2-2 Tiafoe*
An ace right on the T-line. 15-0.
Norrie covered a lot of ground but could only return Tiafoe’s tricky drop shot with a wide-angle shot.
Brilliant serve. 40-0.
Norrie sent the next shot a bit long, and it turned out to be a comfortable game.
Tiafoe holds his serve.
2:01PM
Norrie* 4-6, 2-1 Tiafoe
Tiafoe overhit his passing shot attempt, but made a solid return on the next serve. 15-all.
He couldn’t get close to returning the next two serves. 40-15.
Double fault by Norrie. 40-30.
A long baseline rally ended with Norrie hitting the net. Deuce.
Big serve from Norrie gives him the advantage.
Norrie delivers another strong serve to regain the advantage.
However, Norrie’s drop shot didn’t have enough touch and ended up in the net. Deuce again.
Ace! Just what he needed. Norrie gets the advantage.
Tiafoe’s strong return attempt clipped the net.
Norrie holds serve.
1:56PM
Norrie 4-6, 1-1 Tiafoe*
Norrie’s first serve clipped the net, and after an extended rally, he ended up hitting the ball long beyond the baseline. 30-0.
Tiafoe jumped on a short return and easily put it away. 40-0.
Double fault. 40-15.
It looked like Norrie had pulled Tiafoe way out with his return, but the American added some flair to his forehand and somehow managed to get the ball back in play at the last moment. Game.
Tiafoe holds serve.
1:53PM
Norrie* 4-6, 1-0 Tiafoe
A brilliant service game from Norrie.
He fired an ace, followed it up with two forehand winners, and then placed a perfect shot into the open court. Tiafoe had already given up on the point and was walking back to his chair before Norrie even hit the winner.
Norrie comfortably holds serve.
1:49PM
Norrie 4-6 Tiafoe*
Norrie missed the opportunity to punish the American’s second serve. 15-0.
Tiafoe followed up with another sharp, low forehand that just skimmed over the net. 30-0.
Norrie tried to return the serve but ended up sending it long. 40-0.
On the next serve, all he could manage was a touch of the racket—nothing more. With that final point, Tiafoe secured the set.
1:46PM
Norrie* 4-5 Tiafoe
Bookmakers have labeled Cameron Norrie as the underdog on Court No. 1 against American Frances Tiafoe, though in reality, this is shaping up to be a tightly contested match—especially considering the early exits of several seeds in the first two days.
Norrie, the British player who traveled from Johannesburg to Auckland, defeated an in-form Roberto Bautista Agut in the opening round. Given that he’s a former semifinalist here, he has the potential to defy the odds once again.
Norrie holds serve.
1:38PM
Norrie* 3-4 Tiafoe
A stunning cross-court backhand into the corner gave Norrie the first point of the game.
Ace. Ace. Unreturnable. Ace. A great display of shot-making from Norrie.
Tiafoe managed to grab a break in the first set, and it’s clear that if Norrie wants to challenge the American, his service game needs to be sharp.
It’s a bit disappointing to see so many empty seats on Court 1—especially when there are thousands waiting outside.
Norrie holds serve.
1:32PM
Norrie* 2-3 Tiafoe
At 15-0, an exciting rally played out when Tiafoe pulled off a clever drop shot and then lobbed it over Norrie, who could only swing helplessly as the ball sailed past.
Another solid rally ended with Tiafoe firing the ball into the net.
But he quickly made up for it on the next point with a forehand down the line that wrong-footed the server. 30-all.
Norrie mishit a smash, and Tiafoe pounced on it in a flash, drilling a passing shot past Norrie on his narrow forehand side. A spectacular winner.
On break point, Norrie came up with a strong serve. Back to deuce.
Tiafoe responded with a quality return, and Norrie hit the ball into the net. Advantage, Tiafoe.
Then came a very deep forehand from Tiafoe. Norrie thought it was going long, hesitated, and couldn’t recover in time to keep the ball in play.
Tiafoe breaks serve.
1:27PM
Norrie 2-2 Tiafoe*
Norrie reacted quickly to Tiafoe’s drop shot, but his forehand veered just wide of the mark.
He then failed to return Tiafoe’s serve, hitting it into the net. 30-0.
Tiafoe showed great footwork to unleash a powerful cross-court forehand from his backhand side. 40-0.
The American attempted a drop shot but couldn’t execute it properly. 40-15.
A delightful rally followed, with both players mixing depth and angles beautifully. In the end, Norrie’s shot drifted just wide, and Tiafoe claimed the game.
Tiafoe holds serve.
1:23PM
Norrie* 2-1 Tiafoe
Norrie charged the net right after his serve, and Tiafoe followed him up there. What followed was a quirky exchange of quick volleys from just a few feet apart, ending with Norrie hitting the net. Tiafoe walked away grinning.
But the Brit quickly regained focus, firing off two strong serves that forced Tiafoe into back-to-back errors, sending the ball long both times.
Norrie holds serve.
1:21PM
Norrie 1-1 Tiafoe*
Tiafoe comfortably took the first two points and then wrong-footed Norrie with a beautiful backhand passing shot to go up 40-love.
He attempted a drop shot after a quick rally but didn’t execute it well. 15-40.
Norrie responded with a much better drop shot. Tiafoe reached it, but Norrie finished the point at the net.
Norrie managed to return the next serve, but Tiafoe’s clever slice forced him wide, allowing the American to finish with an easy shot into the open court and take the game.
1:16PM
Norrie* 1-0 Tiafoe
Tiafoe is sporting a white sleeve on his arm—the same style we’ve seen Jacob Fearnley wear.
But it doesn’t do much to help him return any of the four serves that come his way. He sends the first one wide, and the next three crash into the net. Excellent play from Norrie, who’s off to a strong start.
Norrie holds serve.
1:05PM
Players on court
Tiafoe is making his way through the newly built tunnel leading from the changing room to Court No. 1. He’s wearing large headphones and has his game face on. He knows he’s about to take on a strong opponent—and an even stronger “12th man” in the form of the home crowd.
Suddenly, Norrie appears beside him in the tunnel, seemingly out of nowhere—like he just emerged from behind a plant pot, right on cue with the camera. A little bit of mind games right from the start. Great to see.
The players are now walking out onto the court.
Tiafoe wins the toss, calls tails, and chooses to receive. We’re about to get underway.