Cameron Norrie couldn’t have been further from Great Britain at the Australian Open, but he still received support worthy of a career “top three” finish in his second round match.
The British number two came through his meeting with American Emilio Nava in four sets to claim a 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 7-6 (7-5) victory.
He is officially the last British singles player standing – as has been the case in the past three Grand Slams – after Emma Raducanu lost to Austria’s Anastasia Potapova and Arthur Fery was outclassed by Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Wednesday.
The British always attract fans at Melbourne Park, but the crowd created a particularly “great atmosphere” for the 26th seed during his three hours and 20 minutes on court.
But where did things stand in Norrie’s career?
“I would say the best atmosphere at the Australian Open,” he said.
‘The big question is: where is the afterparty? We must continue, straight to the Crown [casino and entertainment resort in Melbourne].”
Norrie arrived on court shortly after 5:30 pm local time and rallied to take the first two sets in just over an hour and a half before Nava made a partial comeback to take the third set.
Then came the awkwardly timed rain, which halted play for almost an hour and brought the fourth set to a halt in a fourth-set tiebreak – with Norrie three points away from victory.
“I actually laughed to myself and felt so relaxed when I came out afterwards,” Norrie said.
“It was quite tough for the fans. A lot of atmosphere was built up and it was completely full. It’s a pity that the match could not have ended there in all atmosphere.”
The world number 27 explained that it felt like the crowd was “on top of the pitch” at times, adding: “I could look everywhere and someone was getting excited for me.”
His post-match on-field interview was also interrupted by fans chanting his name, so it’s fair to say he won the hearts of the locals.
Norrie will next face German third seed Alexander Zverev, who got past Frenchman Alexandre Muller in four sets and won the previous six meetings – including a decisive tie-break in Melbourne two years ago.
“I’m excited to play against him again.
“I’m going to remember that when I’m in the fifth set tiebreak again, I’m going to try to be more aggressive and be the one to go for it, maybe not to escape after a drop shot in the tiebreak. We’ll see.”
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