Five years after his breakthrough triumph at Indian Wells, Britain’s Cameron Norrie has rediscovered the form that once propelled him to the sport’s upper echelons. In Montreal’s National Bank Open, the 28‑year‑old stunned the crowd by eliminating third‑seeded Australian Alex de Minaur and securing a place in the fourth round.
The match began unfavourably for Norrie, who found himself trailing 5‑7, 2‑5 and even faced a match point. Yet the Brit displayed the composure and tenacity that have become his trademark, rallying to claim eleven of the next thirteen games and ultimately prevailing 5‑7, 7‑6 (7‑5), 6‑1. Norrie's victory not only propelled him past a highly‑rated opponent but also nudged him above compatriot Arthur Fery in the live rankings, elevating him to world No.
36 and handing him the mantle of British No. 1. While the Wimbledon semifinalist relishes the new national ranking, his sights are already set on a loftier prize: a second Masters‑1000 crown.
His next challenge arrives in the form of French teenager Arthur Fils, the tournament’s 18th seed, who has already demonstrated a knack for cruising through the early rounds. When asked whether he now considered himself a favourite for the title, Norrie answered with characteristic humility. “Everyone is so tough,” he said. “I’m playing the next highest guy, Fils – he’s one of the best 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.” His post‑match comments underscored a mindset focused on effort rather than expectation, a mental approach that has served him well throughout his career.
De Minaur entered the tournament as the highest‑seeded player remaining on the hard‑court swing, making Norrie's upset all the more significant. With the Australian’s exit, the field opens up for other contenders, notably defending champion Ben Shelton, the fifth seed, who now stands as the odds‑on favorite to lift the trophy. Norrie's performance was a masterclass in resilience.
He converted eight of the 13 break opportunities he created, a conversion rate that highlights both his aggressive baseline play and his ability to seize critical moments. The British player’s fitness and mental stamina were evident as he fought back from the brink of defeat, turning a seemingly lost cause into a decisive victory. Looking ahead, Norrie will meet Arthur Fils, who earlier dispatched Mariano Navone 6‑3, 6‑2, reinforcing his reputation as a formidable competitor at Masters‑1000 events this season.
Fils, only 18, has already compiled an impressive résumé, and his clash with Norrie promises a compelling contrast of experience versus youthful exuberance. In the women's draw, former Wimbledon semifinalist Iga Świątek continued her dominant run, dispatching Viktorija Golubic 6‑2, 6‑1 in just 66 minutes and conceding only three games.
Świątek, a six‑time Grand Slam champion, delivered a clinical performance, hitting 18 winners to Golubic’s five and allowing a mere 14 points on her own serve. After the win, the Polish star reflected on her day: “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 over, and then it went my way and I could find my rhythm.” She now prepares to face Marta Kostyuk, who leads their head‑to‑head 3‑1 after a recent French Open victory. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka also progressed comfortably, defeating China’s Zhang Shuai 6‑3, 6‑4 in a 76‑minute match.
The reigning US Open champion will next encounter Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova, who earned her spot with a straight‑sets win over Australia’s Talia Gibson. For fans eager to follow the action, Sky Sports offers live coverage of both ATP and WTA tours, including the upcoming US Open starting August 30. Subscribers can also stream matches via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, which together provide more than 50 percent additional live sport at no extra charge.
Overall, Norrie's resurgence in Montreal adds a fresh narrative to the tournament’s storyline. His comeback from a match point down, his ascent to British No.
1, and his ambition to capture another Masters title make him a player to watch. Whether he can sustain this momentum against the formidable Arthur Fils remains to be seen, but his performance thus far suggests that the red‑hot Brit may very well become the surprise favourite in a field that has already seen several top seeds fall.