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Cameron Norrie could not be any further from Great Britain at the Australian Open, but he still received support worthy of being “top three” in his career during his second-round match.<\/b><\/p>\n
The British number two came through his meeting with the United States’ Emilio Nava in four sets, taking a 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 7-6 (7-5) victory.<\/p>\n
He is officially the last British singles player standing – as has been the case in the past three Grand Slams – after Emma Raducanu lost to Austria’s Anastasia Potapova and Arthur Fery was outclassed by Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The Brits always attract fans at Melbourne Park, but the crowd created a particularly “amazing atmosphere” for the 26th seed throughout his three hours and 20 minutes on court.<\/p>\n
But where did it rank in Norrie’s career?<\/p>\n
“I would say the best atmosphere at the Australian Open,” he said.<\/p>\n
“The big question is: where’s the after-party? We’ve got to keep going, straight to the Crown [casino and entertainment resort in Melbourne].”<\/p>\n
Norrie arrived on court shortly after 17:30 local time, rallying to take the first two sets in just over an hour and a half before Nava staged a partial comeback by taking the third set.<\/p>\n
Then came the inconveniently timed rain, which suspended play for almost an hour and ground the fourth set to a halt in a fourth-set tie-break – with Norrie three points from victory.<\/p>\n
“I was actually laughing to myself and felt so relaxed when I came out afterwards,” said Norrie.<\/p>\n
“It was quite tough for the fans. There was a lot of atmosphere building and it was completely packed. It was a shame the match couldn’t have finished there with all the atmosphere.”<\/p>\n
The world number 27 explained that it felt like the crowd were “on top of the court” at times, adding: “I could look anywhere and someone was getting fired up for me.”<\/p>\n
His post-match on-court interview was also interrupted by fans chanting his name, so it is fair to say he has captured the hearts of the locals.<\/p>\n
Norrie will next face German third seed Alexander Zverev, who got past Frenchman Alexandre Muller in four sets and has won their previous six meetings – including a deciding-set tie-break in Melbourne two years ago.<\/p>\n
“I’m excited to have another crack at him.<\/p>\n
“I’m going to remember that, if I’m in the fifth-set tie-break again, I’ll try to be more aggressive and be the one going for it, maybe not to bail out on a dropshot in the tiebreak. We’ll see.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n