Google News ATP Rome: Cameron Norrie hits Novak Djokovic, the Serb didn't like!
by LORENZO CIOTTI
Novak Djokovic advances to the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. The Serbian gets the better of the British Cameron Norrie in two sets (6-3 6-4) and therefore continues his march towards confirmation of the title in Rome.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion appears to be in a great recovery after the uncertain start of his tour on clay, which had brought him before these three successes at the Foro Italico, a very meager balance of 2 victories and as many defeats.
His primary objective, as we know, is to arrive at the highly anticipated Roland Garros, in perfect physical condition, in order to be competitive and give himself the opportunity to further enter the history of this sport, should there still be a need.
The match against the number 14 in the ranking, although it ended in favor of the number one in the world, however, was not without moments of tension. In the heart of the meeting, an episode not particularly appreciated by Nole should be recorded.
The former Indian Wells champion threw the ball with a smash on Djokovic's body, not with the intention of hurting. The Serbian champion, having already seen and lost the point, headed towards the baseline, but when he felt the blow on his legs he turned to his opponent, giving him a dirty look, not exactly friendly.
Norrie, noticing Djokovic's lightning gaze, apologized immediately, shutting down any other type of reaction.
What happened there? 😳#IBI23 pic.twitter.com/anA3ZvqVjj — Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 16, 2023
The other matches
Bad and unexpected misstep by Jannik Sinner in the round of 16 of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia.
The roadmap of the blue tennis player in the Masters 1000 tournaments in 2023, before today's defeat, had been big: two semifinals and one final; 14 wins and 3 losses. Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and the day 7 Highlights Sinner appeared rather exhausted from a physical point of view, he lost control of his forehand too many times, and Francisco Cerundolo ended up taking advantage of it.
The Argentine prevailed in a comeback with the score of (3) 6-7, 6-2, 6-2. There will be no derby between Lorenzo Musetti and Lorenzo Sonego in the round of 16 of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. Musetti managed to manage with courage and authority the break advantage won in the third set yesterday afternoon against Frances Tiafoe.
When the match resumed, Musetti was never in trouble during his servings and even found the double break in the ninth game, the one that closed the games definitively. Sonego, on the other hand, was defeated by Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second half of the match which was interrupted the day before due to rain: the Greco then also eliminated Musetti.
Daniil Medvedev defeated Alexander Zverev, in one of the most anticipated matches of the day.