The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Davis Cup debutant Norrie busts Agut
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 number 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 number 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% the best day of my career,” Norrie said after the game.
“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.”
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.
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 pretty good of him not retiring but I wanted to keep the points physical and work him as hard as I could.
“I talked to Kyle Edmund a lot on how to manage the energy, you have to pick your points and he is very good at that. I’m a good runner and had to back myself the whole way.”
GB captain Leon Smith also told the BBC: “It’s amazing to see Cam, as a rookie, a debutant, actually wear the opponent down.”
Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot face Feliciano Lopez and Pablo Carreno Busta today.