The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Norrie braced for Melbourne clash with No 2 seed Nadal
Cameron Norrie kept the British flag flying and secured a third-round meeting with Rafael Nadal with victory over Russian Roman Safiullin at the Australian Open yesterday.
Norrie overcame the world No 183 and a rain delay of over an hour to triumph 3-6 7-5 6-3 7-6 (3) in a match which finished shortly before midnight.
A slow start saw the 25-year-old drop the first set despite an early break but he hit back to lead 2-1.
At 1-1 in the fourth set the rain began to fall on Court 8 and the players were taken off.
They were allowed to resume under the roof of the Margaret Court Arena once the scheduled matches on the showcourt were completed.
In a tight fourth set Norrie failed to convert nine break points but was successful at the 10th attempt, only for Safiullin to break straight back.
But Norrie convincingly won the tie-break to book a first showdown with the 20-time grand slam champion.
Norrie hopes the midmatch switch to the showcourt will help him against Nadal.
He said on court:
“I definitely used the crowd. Keep drinking those tins up there guys.
“I think we both raised our level and I’m happy to get through. I’m playing Rafa next, so it’s nice to get used to one of these courts.
“I’ve never played him before, so it will be a great experience for me.”
Nadal seemed to be in full working order as he brushed aside Michael Mmoh.
The second seed was not troubled by the back problem which hindered his build-up in a 6-1 6-4 6-2 victory in an hour and 47 minutes against the American qualifier.
In fact his biggest inconvenience was a raucous spectator – who may have enjoyed a little too much of the Melbourne hospitality – delaying proceedings until she was escorted out by security.
Asked if he knew the woman, Nadal said on court: “No, and honestly I don’t want to know!”
He added: “Tonight has been a positive feeling for me, winning in straight sets.”
Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev celebrated his 25th birthday by overcoming Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena 6-2 7-5 6-1.
Thanasi Kokkinakis came up just short of another memorable victory after his comeback was ended in five sets by Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Kokkinakis’ emotional opening-round win over South Korea’s Kwon Soonwoo on Tuesday night was his first victory in Melbourne since 2015, following a series of injuries and illnesses that threatened to destroy his career.
The Australians have been providing the high drama at their home grand slam, an event otherwise relatively low on thrills, low on crowds, and with players low on fitness following quarantine.
Nick Kyrgios got the party started on Wednesday night with his rollercoaster five-set win over Ugo Humbert and he was in the stands to support his good friend and doubles partner Kokkinakis.
The 24-year-old wild card took the first set against world number six Tsitsipas after a tie-break and, like Kyrgios 24 hours earlier, saved a match point in the fourth.
But Greek star Tsitsipas wore down his tiring opponent and eventually ran out 6-7 (5) 6-4 6-1 6-7 (5) 6-4 winner.
“I just want an ice bath right now,” said Tsitsipas afterwards.
“Thanasi is a great competitor and a great fighter. It was very difficult facing him today. He’s a talent with huge potential.”
Elsewhere in the men’s draw, Russian seventh seed Andrey Rublev reached the third round with a straight-sets win over Thiago Monteiro.
Rublev beat the Brazilian 6-4 6-4 7-6 (8) and will face 39-year-old Feliciano Lopez next after the Spaniard fought back to knock out Italy’s 31st seed Lorenzo Sonego 5-7 3-6 6-3 7-5 6-4.
Italian ninth seed Matteo Berrettini beat Czech qualifier Tomas Machac 6-3 6-2 4-6 6-3 to set up a meeting with Russian 19th seed Karen Khachanov, who saw off Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis in three sets.
There were bizarre scenes on the John Cain Arena after Fabio Fognini, the 16th seed, won a four-hour marathon 14-12 in the deciding set tie-break against Salvatore Caruso.
The entertainment continued after the match as the fiery Italian duo had a frank exchange of views for a few minutes before exiting the court.
Fognini was not in the mood to elaborate afterwards.
He said: “We are good friends, and you know me better than the things that happened on court, for me stay on court.”