Five years after clinching his most prestigious triumph at Indian Wells, Britain’s Cameron Norrie has rediscovered the form that once made him a contender on the biggest stages. In Montreal, at the National Bank Open, the Briton produced a stunning upset, eliminating the tournament’s third seed, Australia’s Alex de Minaur, and securing a spot in the fourth round.
The match appeared to be slipping away from Norrie early on. He found himself trailing 5‑7, 2‑5 and even faced a match point against a confident de Minaur.
Yet the resilient left‑hander turned the tide dramatically, snatching 11 of the next 13 games to claim victory with a final score of 5‑7, 7‑6 (7‑5), 6‑1. His comeback was built on relentless pressure, as he converted eight of the 13 break opportunities he created throughout the encounter. With this win, Norrley’s live ranking leapt above Arthur Fery, positioning him at world No. 36 and making him the new British No.
1. The former Wimbledon semifinalist now harbors ambitions of adding a second Masters‑1000 title to his résumé. His next opponent will be the 18th‑seeded French teenager Arthur Fils, who has been in scintillating form, cruising past Mariano Navone 6‑3, 6‑2 earlier in the day. When asked whether the upset had thrust him into the conversation as a potential champion, Norrley responded with characteristic humility: “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 seed remaining on the hard‑court swing, but his run was halted by Norrley’s gritty performance.
The title now belongs to the defending champion and fifth seed, Ben Shelton, who remains the man to beat. The tournament’s coverage is available through various platforms, including a contract‑free streaming option on NOW and the Sky Sports app, which offers extensive live sport content. In the women’s draw, former semifinalist Iga Świątek displayed her dominance, dispatching Viktorija Golubic in just 66 minutes with a 6‑2, 6‑1 scoreline while conceding only three games.
Świątek, a six‑time Grand Slam champion, landed 18 winners compared to Golubic’s five and held serve with just 14 points lost. After the win, Świątek said, “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 fresh, and then it went my way and I found my rhythm.” Świątek now advances to face Ukrainian world No. 11 Marta Kostyuk, who leads their recent French Open encounter 3‑1 despite losing the most recent meeting in straight sets.
The upcoming clash promises a compelling battle between the Polish star and the rising Ukrainian talent. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka also progressed comfortably, easing past China’s Zhang Shuai in straight sets, 6‑3, 6‑4, in a match that lasted just 76 minutes.
The reigning US Open champion will next meet Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova, who earned her spot with a straight‑sets win over Australia’s Talia Gibson. Overall, the National Bank Open continues to deliver high‑quality tennis, with both the ATP and WTA tours showcasing a blend of seasoned veterans and hungry youngsters. Fans can follow live action on Sky Sports from August 30 onward, or stream the matches via NOW and the Sky Sports app, which provides Sky Sports customers with more than 50 percent additional live sport coverage at no extra charge.
Looking ahead, Norrley’s encounter with Arthur Fils will be a true test of his resurgence. Fils, only 18, has already compiled an impressive Masters‑1000 record this season, and his confident baseline play could pose a significant challenge.
For Norrley, maintaining the aggressive return game and capitalising on break points will be crucial, especially after demonstrating his ability to turn a match point against him into a decisive victory. If Norrley can replicate the mental fortitude he displayed against de Minaur, he could very well become a dark horse in Montreal. The British crowd, already thrilled by his recent performances, will be eager to see whether he can continue his march toward a potential Masters title, a feat that would cement his status among the sport’s elite and perhaps set the stage for further breakthroughs on the ATP tour.