Cam Norrie infuriates Novak Djokovic as Brit DRILLS ball at world No 2

Cameron Norrie channelled his inner Ivan Lendl when he mercilessly drilled Novak Djokovic in their fourth round match at the Italian Open.

World No 2 Djokovic was clearly furious after the British number one smashed a ball into his leg when he was left as a sitting duck in the middle of the court during the fourth game of their second set.

The Serb approached the net and was riled, giving a series of death stares after only getting the most perfunctory apology from Norrie, who went on to lose 6-3 6-4. 

Lendl was known for drilling his opponent’s at the net, and the British player had done a fair imitation when the ball ballooned up temptingly. 

Djokovic was not hurt but still had the incident on his mind at the end, with the post-match handshake of the most cursory sort.

There was a frisson of tension in the air and Norrie might have been irritated himself with his opponent.

Djokovic had kept him waiting for ten minutes in the corridor at the start of the match, despite it being the first match on the schedule. 

The Serb had a late warm-up and was in the treatment room while his opponent was ready to go on court.

With Carlos Alcaraz beaten on Monday, the Wimbledon champion will be looking to take the title in Rome, and his clay court game looks in excellent order ahead of the French Open.

Norrie will now play in Lyon next week ahead of Paris, having shown more encouraging form after a few setbacks on the European clay.