Five years after his breakthrough triumph at Indian Wells, British player Cameron Norrie has rediscovered the form that once propelled him to the upper echelons of the sport. In Montreal, at the National Bank Open, he produced a stunning upset by eliminating the tournament’s third seed, Australia’s Alex de Minaur, and secured a place in the fourth round.
The match seemed to be slipping away from Norrie early on. He fell behind 7‑5, 5‑2 and even faced a match point against the fast‑paced de Minaur. Yet the British veteran displayed the composure and fighting spirit that have become his trademark. Over the next thirteen games he claimed eleven, turning a dire situation into a remarkable comeback.
The final score read 5‑7, 7‑6 (7‑5), 6‑1 in Norrie's favour. With the victory, Norrie vaulted past Arthur Fery in the live rankings to claim the No.
36 spot, making him the new British No. 1.
The former Wimbledon semi‑finalist now has his sights set on a second Masters‑1000 title, with a challenging encounter against French teenager Arthur Fils awaiting him in the next round. Norrie's resilience was evident throughout the encounter.
He converted eight of the thirteen break opportunities he created, a conversion rate that underscores his aggressive return game. When asked whether this win elevated him into the group of tournament favourites, Norrie replied modestly: “Everyone is so tough. I’m playing the next highest guy, Fils – he’s one of the best players in the world when he’s confident and playing well, but I’m just so happy.
I’ve got some time to rest, happy with my attitude. I played every single point and that’s what I came to do and it was the icing on the cake to win the match.” De Minaur entered the tournament as the highest‑seeded player remaining on the hard‑court swing, but his run now ends, leaving the field open for the fifth seed and defending champion Ben Shelton to become the new favorite for the title.
In the women's draw, former semi‑finalist Iga Świątek continued her dominant form, dispatching Viktorija Golubic in just 66 minutes with a 6‑2, 6‑1 victory, conceding only three games. Świątek, a six‑time Grand Slam champion, rattled off 18 winners compared with Golubic’s five and held serve with just 14 points lost.
After the win she said, “For sure it was a good day, and I’m really happy with the way I played. Even though the first game wasn’t super smooth, I knew I could start from the beginning, and then it went my way and I could find my rhythm.” Świątek now advances to the fourth round where she will meet Marta Kostyuk. The Ukrainian, currently ranked No. 11 in the world, leads their head‑to‑head 3‑1 and recently defeated Świątek at the French Open in straight sets, suggesting a compelling rematch.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka also progressed comfortably, cruising past China’s Zhang Shuai in straight sets, 6‑3, 6‑4, in just 76 minutes. The reigning US Open champion will face Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova, who earned her spot with a straight‑sets win over Australia’s Talia Gibson. Looking ahead, Norrie’s next challenge against Arthur Fils will be a true test.
Fils, the 18th seed, arrived in Montreal after a convincing 6‑3, 6‑2 victory over Mariano Navone, maintaining an impressive Masters‑1000 record this season. The clash pits Norrie's seasoned baseline consistency against Fils’s youthful power and flair, promising an exciting encounter for fans.
Beyond the on‑court action, viewers can stream the ATP and WTA events, including the upcoming US Open, via Sky Sports or the NOW platform. Sky Sports customers enjoy more than 50 percent additional live sport coverage at no extra charge, with the Sky Sports app providing news, video highlights, and real‑time scores. For the best viewing experience, a Chrome browser is recommended. Overall, the National Bank Open in Montreal continues to deliver high‑quality tennis, with surprising upsets, dominant performances, and intriguing storylines shaping the path to the finals.
Cameron Norrie’s dramatic comeback and ascent to British No. 1, Iga Świątek’s relentless march, and Aryna Sabalenka’s steady progress all set the stage for a thrilling second half of the tournament.