Cameron Norrie fights back from two sets DOWN to book spot in Australian Open third round… with British No 1 given a major scare from Italy’s Guilio Zeppieri
Cameron Norrie came back from two sets down for only the third time in his career as the British No. 1 powered his way into the third round of the Australian Open.
Norrie could only look at his players’ box in disbelief as Italian qualifier Guilio Zeppieri raced into a two-set lead.
A medical timeout, plus two lengthy rain delays, did their best to dash any hopes of a comeback, but Norrie showed the spirit that British fans have come to expect from Andy Murray over the years, that outright refusal to know when you’ve been beaten.
And after three hours and 36 minutes of match action, Norrie was the only one with his hand in the air, letting go with a fist pump after closing a clash with Casper Ruud in round three with a 3-6, 6-7, 6-2 , 6-4, 6-4 win.
It is the third time Norrie has recovered from two sets down to win after his Davis Cup debut against Roberto Bautista Agut in 2018 and a first-round victory over Diego Schwartzman at the US Open four years ago.
Zeppieri is ranked 133rd but was in good form after getting through qualifying and managing a total of 63 winners.
But Norrie did not panic and will be extremely pleased with the result after a testing period in the second half of last season.
For the better part of two sets, Norrie could not cope with the power of Zeppieri, who bullied the British No. 1 with his serve and forehand.
Both men found the gusts difficult to deal with, but Norrie began to gain a foothold in the match at 5-4 in the second set when he broke the Italian’s serve for the first time.
He was two points away from equalizing the match, with Zeppieri serving at 5-6, but the Italian fought back from 0-30 to force a tiebreak, where he took an early lead that he never relinquished. gave.
Norrie, normally a cool customer, cut a deeply frustrated figure as he shook out his troublesome left wrist after earlier taking a medical timeout for treatment on his right knee.
However, the 28-year-old came out with purpose for the third set, grabbing an immediate break from the Zeppieri serve before heavy rain began to blow through Melbourne Park, causing the match to be postponed twice.
In between, Norrie took the third set, and an immediate break early in the fourth set him on his way to a draw.
Norrie had experience on his side, with Zeppieri playing in only his third grand slam, but the 22-year-old, who had taken a lengthy medical time-out in the fourth set, began to offer more of a threat again in the decider.
Norrie played a series of tight service games before a netted forehand from Zeppieri gave him the break for 5-4 and the chance to serve out the match, which he took before jumping around the court in celebration.