Australian Open 2026: Cameron Norrie advances to third round after rain delay
Cameron Norrie fell just short of the British team at the Australian Open but still had enough support in the second round to join the ‘top three’ of his career.
The British No. 2 met American Emilio Nava in four sets, winning 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 7-6 (7-5).
He is officially the last British singles player standing after Emma Raducanu lost to Austria’s Anastasia Potapova and Arthur Fery was beaten by Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Wednesday, as has been the case at the past three Grand Slams.
The Englishman always attracts fans at Melbourne Park, but the crowd created a particularly “amazing atmosphere” for the 26th seed’s three hours and 20 minutes on court.
But where does it rank in Norrie’s career?
“I would say the Australian Open has the best atmosphere,” he said.
“The big question is: Where is the after-party? We have to move on and head straight to the Crown [casino and entertainment resort in Melbourne]”.
Noori arrived at the court shortly after 17:30 local time and fought hard to win the first two sets in just over an hour and a half, before Nava achieved a partial reversal in the third set.
An untimely rain then halted play for nearly an hour and the match came to a standstill in a fourth-set tie-break – with Norrie still three points away from victory.
“I was actually talking to myself and I felt really relaxed when I came out,” Norie said.
“It was quite difficult for the fans. There was a great atmosphere and the stadium was packed. It’s a pity the game didn’t end in such an atmosphere.”
The world number 27 explained that it sometimes felt like the crowd was “on the court”, adding: “Everywhere I look, there’s someone excited for me.”
His post-game on-field interview was also interrupted by fans chanting his name, and it’s safe to say he captured the hearts of the locals.
Nouri will next face German third seed Alexander Zverev, who beat Frenchman Alexander Muller in four sets and has won their six previous meetings, including a final-set tiebreak in Melbourne two years ago.
“I’m excited to challenge him again.
“I’ll keep in mind that if I get to a fifth-set tiebreak again, I’m going to try to be more aggressive and be that guy and maybe not quit on a small ball in the tiebreak. We’ll see.”
