Cameron Norrie, Britain’s sole survivor in singles’ competition, made it through to the second week of the Australian Open for the first time thanks to a fabulous four-set victory over Casper Ruud.
Norrie had never beaten a player ranked as high as world No 11 Ruud at a major tournament while he had lost all three previous matches against the Norwegian, who is a three-time Grand Slam finalist.
But the 28-year-old played with purpose and aggression to claim a 6-4 6-7 (7-9) 6-4 6-3 victory.
Normally known as a baseline grinder, Norrie came to the net 56 times during the contest and cracked an impressive 63 winners.
Given the occasion, this is one of the best wins of his career and he said: “It’s so special. I just kept a really good level throughout the match.
“I’ve been working really hard in the off-season on trying to be a little bit more aggressive. I managed to free up in the match and I really let go.”
Ruud’s forehand is a formidable weapon and Norrie went straight after his backhand, which paid immediate dividends with a break for 2-1.
The British No 1 had to dig deep to hold onto his advantage, getting out of a hole at 0-40 in the sixth game and saving another break point at 5-4 before serving it out.
Ruud was the better player in the second set – Norrie again recovered from 0-40 in the third game – with the Norwegian barely facing any pressure on serve.
The tie-break should have been Norrie’s, though, but he narrowly missed a backhand down the line at 6-4 and Ruud saved another set point with a big serve before clinching his second opportunity with an ace.
Sitting down at one set all must have been galling for Norrie, and Ruud seemed to have taken a grip on the match when he finally converted his ninth break point to lead 3-2.
However, Norrie hit straight back, with Ruud suddenly the man under pressure on his serve.
The former Wimbledon semi-finalist was coming to the net on virtually every point and he created a set point at 5-4, taking it when Ruud netted a backhand.
The 11th seed had also played a five-setter in the second round but the fight seemed to drain out of him at the start of the fourth and, although he did force a break point at 2-4, Norrie again had the answer.
Speaking about the atmosphere on John Cain Arena, Norrie added: “There was all sorts of nicknames out there. Come on Noz-dog, Noz, all things like that. It was good stuff. I could tell you guys had had a few drinks on a Saturday afternoon – really good atmosphere!”
Norrie will face sixth seed Alexander Zverev or unseeded American teenager Alex Michelsen in the last 16 on Monday.
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports. Stream tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership
Source : Sky Sports
