Djokovic defeats Norrie in heated fourth-round clash

Novak Djokovic beat Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round of the Italian Open on Tuesday.

The Serb was in commanding position throughout the majority of the game and deservedly walked away with victory.

A controversial moment occurred in the fourth game of the second set when Norrie smashed a ball into Djokovic leg, when the Serb was looking into the other direction.

Cam Norrie hits Novak Djokovic with an overhead

You have to love the stare of death Novak shoots back at him 🥶

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Show this to anyone who say tennis isn’t a contact sport 😂pic.twitter.com/tROlMPmPlb

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 16, 2023

Norrie apologized, but that didn’t seem to settle the matter as Djokovic showed his clear disliking of the incident. At the end of the match he did offer his hand to his British opponent, but the handshake was rather cold and hostile.

The 27-year-old also would have had plenty to say about the Serb’s attitude in the match as Djokovic had a late warm-up, despite this being the first match of the daily schedule.

Djokovic will face Holger Rune in the quarter-finals.