Australian Open 2024: Cameron Norrie wins but Katie Boulter and Jack Draper beaten
- Published
Cameron Norrie is into the Australian Open third round for the third time - but has never gone beyond that stage
Australian Open 2024 |
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Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 14-28 January |
Coverage: Commentary every day from 07:00 GMT on Tennis Breakfast on Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, with selected live text commentaries and match reports on the BBC Sport website and app |
Britain's Cameron Norrie reached the Australian Open third round by fighting back to win a five-set match in Melbourne for the first time.
Norrie, seeded 19th, went two sets down against Italian qualifier Guilio Zeppieri but rallied to win 3-6 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 6-4 6-4.
The 28-year-old will face 11th seed Casper Ruud in the third round.
However, fellow Britons Katie Boulter and Jack Draper lost their second-round matches.
Boulter, Britain's women's number one, lost 6-3 6-3 against China's Zheng Qinwen, the 12th seed.
Zheng will play compatriot Wang Yafan after she beat Britain's Emma Raducanu.
British number four Draper, 22, lost 6-2 3-6 6-3 7-5 against American 14th seed Tommy Paul.
Rain, wind, injury and an inspired opponent - Norrie comes through test
Norrie, who has never progressed beyond the third round in Melbourne, ensured the British contingent made a winning start when he overcame an inspired opponent in testing conditions.
Having lost to 22-year-old Zeppieri in their only meeting four years ago on the Rome clay, Norrie said there would be an element of revenge in his mind.
And the dogged nature of his comeback - a three-hour match spread over almost six hours because of two rain delays - hinted at that motivation.
Left-hander Zeppieri's powerful game, consisting of a heavy serve and fizzing forehands, caused a host of problems for Norrie in the first two sets.
Norrie also needed treatment on his right knee and occasionally flexed the left wrist which caused him concern coming into the event, while a stiff breeze also posed issues for both players.
Nevertheless he started the third set with purpose, breaking in the first game and wrapping it up between the rain delays.
Another early break was enough to secure the fourth set and, with his greater experience coming to the fore, Norrie won three games in a row to clinch the decider.
Draper out as Paul earns revenge
Draper is one of the rising stars of the ATP Tour and, as he continues to move back up the rankings after injury troubles, was a dangerous draw for 2023 semi-finalist Paul.
The powerful left-hander beat the American on his way to the Adelaide final last week, but acknowledged it would be a different test over the five-set format.
After going the distance to beat Marcos Giron on Tuesday - where he was sick in a bin courtside after clinching victory - Draper made a slow start by losing serve three times in the opening set.
Yet he improved and had chances in the fourth set to push an entertaining contest all the way.
Draper was unable to convert either of two set points at 5-4 - miscuing a crosscourt forehand before Paul sent down an unreturnable 122mph first serve - and Paul eventually got over the line in a 12-minute hold.
That laid the platform for Paul to use the momentum swing and break in the next game.
After saving one break point, a loose forehand from Draper went wide and Paul took his opportunity to serve out the match.
Boulter staying positive despite defeat
Boulter set up her second-round meeting with Zheng by beating another Chinese player in world number 61 Yue Yuan in the first round.
Boulter, ranked 54th, also beat world number three Jessica Pegula at the United Cup team event at the start of the season and came through qualifying to make the Adelaide International main draw.
Zheng controlled their first set on Thursday and after Boulter broke serve for a 3-2 lead in the second, the Briton double-faulted twice in blustery conditions in the next game as she gave up the advantage.
The match was then decided in a marathon ninth game with Zheng clinching her sixth match point, having saved six Boulter break points.
Boulter remained positive despite the defeat.
"This trip has been great," the 27-year-old said. "For me, it's about week in, week out playing these girls, trying to get big wins against the best players in the world.
"It is a massive step in the right direction.
"I don't think my tennis is far behind. I think I had a lot of chances, as well.
"She's an incredible player with a lot of wins under her belt, as well. So I have to factor that in. Ultimately I feel like I can challenge these girls on a daily basis."
Following her singles defeat, Boulter played in the women's doubles alongside Petra Martic, but the two lost their first-round match against fifth seeds Laura Siegemund and Barbora Krejcikova 6-2 6-1.
In the men's doubles, Britain's Henry Patten, playing with Portugal's Francisco Cabral, beat Australian pair Tristan Schoolkate and Adam Walton 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (10-4).
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