Britain’s 19th-seeded Cameron Norrie secured his spot in the third round by defeating Italian qualifier Guilio Zeppieri in a grueling five-set match in an impressive comeback at the Australian Open.
Norrie fought back from being two sets down, ultimately winning 3-6 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 6-4 6-4. This marks Norrie’s first five-set victory in Melbourne, setting the stage for a third-round clash with the 11th seed, Casper Ruud.
On the flip side, other British contenders, Katie Boulter and Jack Draper, faced setbacks in their second-round matches. Boulter, the top-ranked British woman, fell to China’s Zheng Qinwen, the 12th seed, in a 6-3 6-3 defeat. Despite breaking serve in the second set, Boulter couldn’t maintain her advantage, ultimately succumbing to Zheng in a marathon ninth game. Zheng now advances to face either compatriot Wang Yafan or Britain’s Emma Raducanu in the third round.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old British player Jack Draper lost a hard-fought battle against American 14th seed Tommy Paul, with a scoreline of 6-2 3-6 6-3 7-5. Draper, on the comeback trail after injury troubles, couldn’t capitalize on two set points in the fourth set, allowing Paul to secure the victory.
Norrie’s victory showcased his resilience against an inspired opponent, battling through rain delays, wind, and minor injuries. The left-hander’s comeback hinted at a sense of revenge against Zeppieri, who had defeated him four years ago on the Rome clay. Norrie’s experience proved crucial in securing the win, as he now looks ahead to the challenge posed by Casper Ruud in the next round.
Therefore, as Norrie shines with a remarkable comeback, Boulter and Draper face disappointments in their Australian Open campaigns, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of tennis competitions.
Source: BBC Sports
