Tennis Jan 22, 2026

Australian Open: Can Cameron Norrie crack Alexander Zverev code to extend run in Melbourne?

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Australian Open: Can Cameron Norrie crack Alexander Zverev code to extend run in Melbourne?

Cameron Norrie is hoping seventh time's a charm when he takes on Alexander Zverev in the third round of the Australian Open.

Norrie has become the reliable face of British tennis, failing to reach the last 32 at a Grand Slam only three times in his last 15 appearances.

He is the last British singles player standing once again after battling to a four-set win over American Emilio Nava on Wednesday.

Next up, he faces a familiar foe in third seed Zverev, who has won all six of their tour-level meetings, but Norrie goes into the clash in bullish spirits.

"I think I can trouble him, for sure," said the 26th seed. "I'm going to have to really play a complete match and play well for four hours, I think, to have a chance with him.

"I really can take a lot of confidence from the first three weeks of the year, how I'm managing my service games, how I'm putting a lot of returns in court. I feel like I'm there every single point.

"I know that's kind of my trademark, to be there every point. I think I've been doing a really good job with that. My tennis has been there. I've been feeling the ball great. I think mentally I'm feeling in a good place."

Norrie was close to dropping outside the top 100 last spring after injury problems and a dip in form, but he has bounced back impressively and is now pushing towards a return to the top 20.

He was helped against Nava by the raucous support he received from an enthusiastic crowd and, although there will not be the same feeling of spectators hanging over the court at the cavernous John Cain Arena, there should still be a good atmosphere in the night session.

And for evidence of how he can trouble Zverev, who reached his third Grand Slam final here last year, Norrie only needs to look back two years to their meeting in the last 16 at Melbourne Park.

There, Norrie pushed the German all the way to a fifth-set tie-break before losing - one of five defeats to top-10 players he has had at his last seven slams.

"I'll definitely watch that one," said Norrie. "I used the drop shot unreal that day. I was playing so free, enjoying the match so much, coming forward a lot. I was troubling him a lot and mixing it up a lot. I think I'm going to have to sprinkle some of that in, for sure."

The 30-year-old knows a change he will make if he finds himself in the same situation, saying: "I think maybe in that fifth-set tie-break I used (the drop shot) too much and missed a couple of shots I would not usually go for.

"I think he'll remember that match. It was so tough. But I'm excited to have another crack at him. I'm going to remember that, if I'm in the fifth set tie-break again, I'll try to be more aggressive and be the one going for it, maybe not to bail out on a drop shot."

Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, live on Your Site or and the , giving Your Site customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost.

Tags:

tennis news

Share this article

Related Posts

Australian Open: Naomi Osaka claims heated win in Melbourne as Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys also advance

Australian Open: Naomi Osaka claims heated win in Melbourne as Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys also advance

Naomi Osaka earned a heated Australian Open win over Sorana Cirstea as defending champion Madison Keys, Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova all advanced....

Novak Djokovic's 399th Grand Slam match win propels him into Australian Open third round

Novak Djokovic's 399th Grand Slam match win propels him into Australian Open third round

Novak Djokovic's 399th Grand Slam match win over Italian qualifier Francesco ​Maestrelli propelled him into the Australian Open third round.Fourth see...

Is Emma Raducanu feeling shackled? 'Confusion in her camp' after Australian Open exit

Is Emma Raducanu feeling shackled? 'Confusion in her camp' after Australian Open exit

What does Emma Raducanu really want on a tennis court?That was the question asked by Your Site' commentator Jonathan Overend in the aftermath of Raduc...

Australian Open key questions: Who will become the 'disrupter' to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner?

Australian Open key questions: Who will become the 'disrupter' to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner?

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have shared the last eight Grand Slams between them so who can become the "disrupter" and break the monopoly?After tw...

Novak Djokovic's 100th Australian Open victory sends message to rivals in pursuit of 25th Grand Slam title

Novak Djokovic's 100th Australian Open victory sends message to rivals in pursuit of 25th Grand Slam title

Novak Djokovic notched his 100th Australian Open win in his 2026 tournament opener on Monday, but reaching a quarter century of Grand Slam titles rema...

Tennis 2026 schedule, Grand Slam dates and tournament calendar for ATP and WTA Tours

Tennis 2026 schedule, Grand Slam dates and tournament calendar for ATP and WTA Tours

Keep track of the dates, tournament calendar and latest results for the 2026 ATP and WTA Tours.Live tennis is available all year on Your Site while no...