Australian Open 2021: Rafael Nadal sweeps past Cameron Norrie to reach fourth round
This was a first meeting between Norrie and Nadal
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Britain’s interest in singles at the Australian Open ended with a spirited defeat for Cameron Norrie against Rafael Nadal in the third round.
For the second time in the last three grand slams, 69th-ranked Norrie found himself the only British representative in the last 32 of the main draws.
He faced a formidable task against second seed Nadal but acquitted himself very well, pushing the Spaniard before falling to a 7-5 6-2 7-5 defeat.
Norrie, 25, had not won a main-draw match at Melbourne Park prior to his first-round victory over compatriot Dan Evans, while this was his first career meeting against one of the big three of men’s tennis.
READ MORE: No fans for five days at the Australian Open amid a snap lockdown
Nadal won the first six points but Norrie settled into the match well thereafter, saving break points in his first two service games before forging ahead with a break of his own for 3-2.
Nadal‘s back issue did not cause him any major problems during his first two matches, but he was struggling to hit the ball cleanly here and making some unexpected errors.
He hit straight back with a break to love, and Norrie could not maintain the high level he had produced in the 12th game to take the Spaniard to a tie-break.
Nadal, who had won 103 of his previous 117 tour-level clashes with fellow left-handers, dominated the second set and looked to be pulling away but Norrie dug in brilliantly at the start of the third.
Nadal looked a little agitated as the set headed towards a tie-break, but again Norrie could not quite get across the line as the second seed clinched victory after two hours and 14 minutes.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments