In a closely contested match, British number two Cameron Norrie was unable to overcome the challenge posed by world number three Alexander Zverev, exiting the Australian Open in the third round. Despite an inspired performance in the second set, Norrie ultimately fell to a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 defeat against the 2025 runner-up.
Norrie, who has been the last Briton standing in the singles draw in the last four Grand Slam tournaments, faced an uphill task against Zverev, having lost all six of their previous Tour-level meetings. This included defeats at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2024.
The 26th seed had been a break up in the first set, but after losing it, launched a positive response. A Zverev error at 5-4 down in the second set allowed Norrie to level the match. However, the Briton’s momentum was halted just three games into the third set, and Zverev made certain with a second break to regain his advantage.
Norrie, yet to defeat a top-five ranked player at a Grand Slam, was unable to match Zverev’s level as the match progressed, with the German powering to an efficient conclusion. Zverev’s 16th ace after two hours and 46 minutes sealed his third consecutive four-set win at Melbourne Park, where his pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam title will continue against Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.
In other news, British top seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool suffered a shock second-round defeat in the men’s doubles, losing 7-6(5), 6-4 to Australian wildcards James McCabe. The Wimbledon champions, who last season became the first all-British pair to secure the year-end world number one men’s doubles ranking, were the latest high-profile casualty in a draw that has already lost five of the top 10 pairings.
