US Open 2018: Cameron Norrie delights in 'first proper win' after first round victory

Cameron Norrie recorded what he called his “first actual proper win” at a Grand Slam tournament when he beat Australia’s Jordan Thompson 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 here on Monday evening on the opening day of the US Open.

Norrie had reached the second round of a Grand Slam event on two previous occasions, but in each of them his opponents retired hurt before the end of the match.

“I’m really happy,” Norrie said. “I played well. I lost concentration at some points, but I really enjoyed it. I just got better and better as the match went on, so I was proud of that.”

Norrie’s only significant lapse came at the end of the second set, when he was broken to love as Thompson levelled the match. However, the British No 2 was soon back in charge and appeared the more comfortable of the two players in the hot and humid conditions.

“It was so humid tonight that I think I went through nine or 10 shirts,” he said. “But I didn’t mind it. I dealt with it well. I felt physically great at the end.”

Norrie, who played tennis for three years at Texas Christian University, thinks the courts and conditions suit him here. “I played a lot of college tennis at TCU on hard courts and I like the hot conditions,” he said. “They don’t bother me too much.”

Asked if he thought he was getting physically stronger, Norrie said: “I think I’m just more experienced. I’ve played a couple of Davis Cup matches and I’ve been working pretty hard in the gym and in my fitness sessions. I also had a good physical block before I came to the US Open. I think that’s helped a lot.

“I also think just being around this level in general and being around these players, I’m kind of getting used to that and dealing with the ball that they hit. I do feel fitter and stronger.”

In the second round Norrie will face Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic, the world No 62, for the first time. Lajovic beat Damir Dzumhur, the No 24 seed, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-4.

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“I haven’t watched him that much, but he hits the ball well,” Norrie said. “I’ll just focus on what I do well and just try to tough him out.”

Norrie’s progress over the last year is highlighted by the fact that he has climbed 158 places in the world rankings since he won his first Grand Slam match at this tournament 12 months ago. He clearly feels comfortable playing at this level.

“I think I’m just more used to being around here,” he said. “Last year when I qualified and won a round it felt like the most amazing thing and I was kind of done. But now I feel like I’m just getting started and I’m ready to kind of rip through the tournament.”

Norrie guaranteed himself prize money of $93,000 (about £80,000) by reaching the second round but admitted afterwards that he might need to go much deeper into the tournament if he is to realise his hopes of buying his own home.

“I’m actually looking to try to get a place in London, so I’ll probably have to make the semis here to do that,” the world No 67 said with a smile. “I like the Putney and Wimbledon area, but I haven’t thought about it too much or had the time. At the end of the year I’ll maybe look round there and see.”

Bearing in mind London property prices he joked: “Maybe I’ll need to win the tournament to buy somewhere in Putney or Wimbledon.”