Yahoo Sports Norrie dreaming of Wimbledon re-run despite 'tough draw'
Cameron Norrie has been watching re-runs of his marathon Wimbledon quarter-final win over David Goffin as he looks to recapture the form that lifted the 28-year-old to a career-high world ranking of eight in 2022.
Norrie has slipped to 44th after a disappointing first half to this season, culminating in the loss of the Great Britain number one mantle to Jack Draper this month.
The pair practised together on No.1 Court on Saturday, despite the prospect of a 'Battle Of The Brits' showdown should they both reach the second round.
Norrie insisted: "Honestly, I'm feeling good about the way I'm hitting the ball. I've been putting myself in really good situations with lots of chances in the matches I've been playing.
"Watching my run to the semi-finals - I watched my match with Goffin with my coach - just seeing the way I was hitting the ball, I was very calm. I think it's just about trying to do the basics really well."
Norrie's dream of matching compatriot Andy Murray's feat of winning Wimbledon was thwarted then by Novak Djokovic despite taking the opening set off the eventual trophy winner.
This time, Norrie realises he has been handed "a tough draw" and, before he even contemplates a possible showdown with Draper never mind another semi-final, has to "focus on" beating improving fellow left-hander Facundo Diaz Acosta on Tuesday.
The South Africa-born son of a Glaswegian father and Welsh mother already has an insight into his 23-year-old opponent considering his own coach, Facundo Lugones, is a fellow Argentine.
Norrie also came through a close encounter against the current world number 45 at last year's Argentina Open, but only through a final-set tie break.
"Acosta has won a lot this year, he's very confident and I had a very close match with him last year in Buenos Aires," he pointed out to BBC Sport.
"He's a really good up-and-coming player, he's had a great year so far and he's going to be really hungry to play me, especially here at Wimbledon."
Norrie knows all about the added pressure of being a British hope at Wimbledon, but he feels "pretty relaxed" with his parents and partner having joined him in London - and within cycling distance of the All England Club.
"Obviously it's frustrating not to have a few more wins as that gives you a bit more confidence, but the training's been really good," he added.
"Sometimes you can be feeling awful on the practice court and then suddenly you are getting wins right, left and centre.
"That's just sport and having the ability to brush it off and go again. All these tough losses I'm having are making me want it even more to get back to my best."
