Novak Djokovic is just one victory away from joining the elite 100-title club after a hard-fought semi-final win against Britain’s Cameron Norrie at the Geneva Open.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion battled past Norrie 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-1, moving a step closer to becoming only the third man in the Open era—after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer—to reach 100 ATP Tour-level singles titles.
“It was the toughest match of the tournament for me so far, for sure,” said Djokovic, who celebrated his 38th birthday on Thursday.
Despite a lackluster clay-court season marked by early exits in Madrid and Monte Carlo, Djokovic is eyeing the ATP 250 title in Geneva as a much-needed momentum boost ahead of the French Open.
He will face Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in Saturday’s final.
In his first semi-final appearance of the year, Norrie struggled to dent Djokovic’s serve early on, winning just two return points in the opening set.
However, he surged ahead in the second, breaking Djokovic for a 4-1 lead.
Although Djokovic fought back to level the set, Norrie held his nerve in the tie-break, saving a match point before forcing a third set.
Djokovic responded with authority in the decider, breaking twice to seal victory in two hours and 15 minutes.
The Geneva Open marks Djokovic’s first tournament since parting ways with coach Andy Murray.
“I’m really glad how I regrouped in the third and played the best set of the tournament,” Djokovic said. “It means a lot to reach the final. So let’s go for a title.”
Saturday’s final will be his second of the season, following a runner-up finish to Czech teenager Jakub Mensik in Miami.
Djokovic is set to begin his French Open campaign on Sunday against American Mackenzie McDonald, as he pursues a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
