Five years after his breakthrough triumph at Indian Wells, Britain’s Cameron Norrie has rediscovered the form that propelled him to that career‑defining title. In Montreal, the 27‑year‑old British star produced a dramatic comeback to eliminate the tournament’s third seed, Australia’s Alex de Minaur, and secure a place in the fourth round of the National Bank Open. The match began unfavourably for Norrie. He fell behind 5‑7, 2‑5 and even faced a match point against De Minaur.
Rather than capitulating, Norrie summoned his trademark resilience and flipped the script, winning eleven of the next thirteen games. He ultimately prevailed 5‑7, 7‑6 (7‑5), 6‑1, a reversal that underscored his mental toughness and his ability to thrive under pressure. With the victory, Norrie vaulted past fellow Brit Arthur Fery to claim the No.
36 spot in the live ATP rankings, making him the new British number one. The former Wimbledon semi‑finalist now has his sights set on a second Masters‑1000 crown, with the next challenge coming from French teenager Arthur Fils, the tournament’s 18th seed. Fils entered the competition in strong form, having dispatched Mariano Navone 6‑3, 6‑2 in straight sets, and he will be a formidable opponent for Norrie.
When asked if he now considered himself a favourite to lift the Montreal trophy, Norrie responded with a measured optimism: “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.” His comments highlighted both his respect for the competition and his belief that his recent performances have put him in contention.
De Minaur had been the highest‑seeded player remaining on the hard‑court swing, but his exit paves the way for the defending champion and fifth seed, Ben Shelton, to become the new favorite for the title. Shelton, who captured the Montreal crown last year, will be looking to repeat his success as the draw tightens.
Norrie's victory was built on a solid statistical foundation. He converted eight of the thirteen break opportunities he created, a conversion rate that reflects his aggressive return game.
Moreover, his ability to stay composed during the crucial tiebreak in the second set—winning it 7‑5—demonstrated his clutch performance under high‑stakes conditions. The tournament also featured notable action on the women’s side. Former semi‑finalist Iga Świątek breezed through her third‑round match, conceding only three games to Viktorija Golubic in a 66‑minute affair, 6‑2, 6‑1.
Świątek, a six‑time Grand Slam champion, struck 18 winners while limiting Golubic to just five, and she served with remarkable efficiency, dropping only 14 points on her own serve. After the win, Świątek remarked, “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 found my rhythm.” She now advances to the fourth round where she will 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, dispatching China’s Zhang Shuai in straight sets, 6‑3, 6‑4, in just 76 minutes.
The reigning US Open champion displayed her usual dominance, and she will next encounter Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova, who earned her spot with a straight‑sets win over Australia’s Talia Gibson. The Montreal event continues to offer a blend of veteran experience and emerging talent, making it a compelling watch for tennis fans worldwide. For those seeking to follow the action live, the matches are available on Sky Sports and can be streamed via NOW or the Sky Sports app, providing subscribers with more than 50 percent additional live sport coverage at no extra charge. Overall, Norrie's resurgence in Montreal adds an intriguing narrative to the Masters‑1000 circuit.
His ability to overturn a near‑defeat against a top‑seeded opponent, coupled with his newly attained British No. 1 status, positions him as a serious contender for the title. As the tournament moves into its later stages, all eyes will be on whether Norrie can sustain his momentum against Fils and the other elite players still in the draw, while the women's field promises equally thrilling matchups as Świątek, Sabalenka, and others vie for the championship.