![\"Cameron](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/1119B\/production\/_125834007_norrie.jpg\")
<\/span><\/span>Venue: <\/strong>All England Club <\/span>Dates: <\/strong>27 June-10 July<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n| Coverage:<\/strong> Live across BBC TV, radio and online with extensive coverage on BBC iPlayer, Red Button, Connected TVs and mobile app.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n | Britain’s Cameron Norrie was unable to capitalise on a confident start as Novak Djokovic fought back to reach the Wimbledon men’s singles final.<\/span><\/p>\n Norrie, 26, was bidding to become only the fourth Briton to reach the final at the All England Club in the Open era.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n But after winning the first set, he lost 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 to the top seed.<\/span><\/p>\n Serbia’s Djokovic, going for a fourth consecutive title and a seventh overall, will face Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in Sunday’s final.<\/span><\/p>\n The 35-year-old will also bid for a 21st Grand Slam men’s title, which would put him one behind Rafael Nadal’s all-time record.<\/span><\/p>\n Spain’s Nadal, 36, was supposed to face Kyrgios in Friday’s second semi-final but withdrew from the match on Thursday because of an abdominal injury.<\/span><\/p>\n Now Djokovic has the chance to close the gap again on his enduring rival after ending the hopes of Norrie and a nation.<\/span><\/p>\n Norrie, seeded ninth, was the first British player since Johanna Konta in 2017 to reach a Wimbledon singles semi-final and was given partisan backing on Centre Court.<\/span><\/p>\n The atmosphere became celebratory as Norrie broke three times to take the opening set, before coming increasingly stifled as Djokovic eventually found his level.<\/span><\/p>\n Norrie received a rapturous round of applause as he left the Centre Court, including from Djokovic who stood back and applauded his exit<\/span><\/p>\n “Cameron didn’t have much to lose, he was playing the tournament of his life,” said Djokovic.<\/span><\/p>\n “He’s a great player and I have a lot of respect for him.<\/span><\/p>\n “Cameron was dominating the play and I got lucky to break his serve in the second set.<\/span><\/p>\n “He gifted me a game and from then I think momentum shifted.”<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the obvious disappointment of being unable to maintain his fast start against Djokovic, Norrie will eventually look back on these two weeks with huge pride.<\/span><\/p>\n The left-hander had never gone past the third round at a Grand Slam before, breaking that barrier and then going from strength to strength to reach the last four.<\/span><\/p>\n The confidence which he has gained over the past couple of seasons, from rapidly rising up the rankings and winning ATP Tour titles with increasing prestige, was clear in a wonderful first set from the Briton.<\/span><\/p>\n After earning two break points in the first game of the match, Norrie took the first by dragging Djokovic around the court and hitting a winner past the Serb as he dashed forward.<\/span><\/p>\n Norrie, usually so mild-mannered, spun around in delight to further illustrate the magnitude of the occasion.<\/span><\/p>\n After a nervy service game meant he could not consolidate the break, Norrie soon led again and that was helped by Djokovic’s own edginess. <\/span><\/p>\n Two more uncharacteristic errors from Djokovic, smacking two forehands from the baseline long, enabled Norrie to break again and move 3-2 ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n This time Norrie did hold serve to consolidate the break, more errors from Djokovic’s racquet culminating in a forehand into the net.<\/span><\/p>\n Another break for 5-2 left Norrie serving for the set and, after two double faults including one on set point, he hammered down an ace to seal the opener. <\/span><\/p>\n That created an jubilant atmosphere, perhaps also with a tinge of disbelief, among the optimistic home fans.<\/span><\/p>\n Still, there was a feeling among the realists that Djokovic could not continue playing that badly and giving opportunities to his opponent. <\/span><\/p>\n That proved to be true as the defending champion improved his level and put himself into an eighth Wimbledon men’s final, a tally only bettered by Roger Federer’s 12 appearances there.<\/span><\/p>\n |