Djokovic beats Norrie to close in on 100th title

Novak Djokovic moved 1 triumph distant from his 100th ATP Tour-level singles title pinch a hard-fought triumph against Britain's Cameron Norrie successful nan semi-finals astatine nan Geneva Open.

Djokovic is bidding to go conscionable nan 3rd man successful nan Open era - aft Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer - to triumph 100 ATP titles.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion took a measurement person to that milestone pinch a resilient 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-1 triumph complete Norrie.

Djokovic, who has not won a title since claiming Olympic golden successful Paris past summer, will look Poland's Hubert Hurkacz successful Saturday's final.

"It was nan toughest lucifer of tourney for maine truthful far, for sure," Djokovic, who turned 38 connected Thursday, said.

It has been a disappointing clay play for Djokovic, who suffered contiguous exits successful Madrid and Monte Carlo.

However, an ATP 250 title successful Geneva could beryllium nan cleanable assurance booster earlier nan French Open, wherever he will beryllium chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.

Djokovic will look American Mackenzie McDonald successful nan first information astatine Roland Garros, which starts connected Sunday.

Playing successful his first semi-final of nan season, Norrie won conscionable 2 points connected Djokovic's service successful nan first group arsenic nan Serb raced done nan opener.

It was nan Briton, however, who took power successful nan 2nd set, challenging Djokovic's service for nan first clip to move 4-1 successful front.

A double responsibility by Djokovic astatine 5-2 brought up a group constituent for Norrie, but he missed his chance and allowed Djokovic to break backmost and level astatine 5-5.

The world number 90 redeemed himself successful a cagey tie-break, redeeming a lucifer constituent earlier an unforced correction from Djokovic took nan last-four necktie to a deciding set.

World number six Djokovic reasserted his power by grabbing nan first 3 games of nan 3rd group - a spread that Norrie was incapable to adjacent arsenic he was surgery again to let Djokovic to service retired triumph aft 2 hours and 15 minutes.

"I'm really gladsome really I regrouped successful nan 3rd and played nan champion group of nan tournament," added Djokovic, who is playing successful his first arena since splitting from coach Andy Murray.

"It intends a batch [to scope nan final]. So let's spell for a title."

It will beryllium Djokovic's 2nd last of nan play aft nan Miami Open successful March, wherever he mislaid to Czech teen Jakub Mensik.