Thrilled Norrie keeps GB in Davis Cup
DAVIS Cup debutant Cameron Norrie hailed “the best day of his career” after hitting back from two sets down to upset Roberto Bautista Agut.
The World No.114 levelled the World Group first-round tie at 1-1 following a stirring display for Great Britain in Marbella yesterday.
He trailed by two sets and was 3-1 down to the World No.23 before roaring back to win 4-6 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 in his first match on clay.
“It’s 100 per cent the best day of my career,” Norrie said. “I was nervous and had a streak in the second set where I couldn’t get a serve but I pulled it together.
“Thanks to my team, they gave me great energy. I thought I was tougher and physically I had some problems but I played it point by point.
“I managed to pull it together and keep Great Britain in the tie. It gave me a lot of confidence.”
Norrie broke three times in the third set and twice in the fourth and fifth and Bautista Agut had no response with the Briton hitting 60 winners — twice as many as his rival.
Norrie outfought Bautista Agut, who began to suffer with a thigh problem in the fourth set.
The 22-year-old added: “It was a little boost but I backed myself physically and mentally. It was good of him not retiring but I wanted to keep the points physical and work him hard.
“I talked to Kyle Edmund on how to manage the energy, you have to pick your points and he is good at that. I’m a good runner and had to back myself the whole way. The fans helped and in the fifth set I went to serve and there was a hell of a noise.”
GB captain Leon Smith said: “It’s amazing to see Cam, as a rookie, a debutant, wear the opponent down. We’ve had a lot of good moments in the Davis Cup and this is one of them.
“I’m almost a bit lost for words. All you ask for is that they give their best. Cam fully deserves every bit of praise he gets.”
The hosts led 1-0 after Liam Broady lost 6-3 6-4 7-6 (8-6) to World No.21 Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot now face Feliciano Lopez and Pablo Carreno Busta today.