Geneva Open: Djokovic overcomes Norrie, on verge of title No 100

Serb Novak Djokovic, the second seed, moved into the final of the Geneva Open by winning against qualifier Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-1 at Tennis Club de Genève, Parc des Eaux-Vives on Friday afternoon.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion is, once again, just one match away from a 100th singles title – a milestone which has been achieved by only two others, Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).

Djokovic has been at this stage on two prior occasions, in the finals of the 2024 Shanghai Masters (losing to Jannik Sinner) and in Miami Open (losing to Jakub Mensik).

“It was the toughest match of the tournament for me,” admitted the former world No 1.

“Three sets, second set he was a break up and I managed to come back to the tiebreak.

“Match point, I got a bit tight there and missed a couple of mid-court shots, but I’m really glad at how I re-grouped in the third, and played my best set of the tournament.”

Djokovic, ranked No 6, will play Pole Hubert Hurkacz, the No 6 seed, next.

The 38-year-old Serb beat Hungarian Marton Fucsovics (6-2, 6-3) and Italian Matteo Arnaldi, the No 8 seed (6-4, 6-4) in the previous rounds of the Geneva tournament.

Earlier in the tournament, Norrie, ranked No 90, won against Swiss wildcard Dominic Stricker (7-6 (2), 6-3), No 3 seed Tomas Machac (3-6, 6-2, 4-3 ret.) and Australian Alexei Popyrin, the No 5 seed (7-6 (6), 6-4).

Geneva ATP 250, other semi-final result (Tennis Club de Genève, Parc des Eaux-Vives, clay, EUR 596.035):

• Hubert Hurkacz beat Sebastian Ofner (Q): 6-3, 6-4