Cameron Norrie puts on a show to beat Rafael Nadal in a ‘crazy match’ as the British No 1 hits back from a set down at the United Cup in Sydney to secure the biggest win of his career
- Cameron Norrie came from a set down to beat Rafael Nadal 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
- He produced some of his best tennis to give Great Britain a 1-0 lead over Spain
- Before this, Norrie had never taken a set against Nadal in four previous meetings
Cameron Norrie sealed the biggest win of his career by defeating Rafael Nadal 3-6 6-3 6-4 at the United Cup in Sydney.
Norrie had lost his four previous meetings against Nadal but produced some of his best tennis at a sold-out Ken Rosewall Arena to give Great Britain a 1-0 lead against Spain at the inaugural mixed international team competition.
The 27-year-old said in his post-match interview: ‘It was pretty crazy. I was thinking I’d never won a set before (against Nadal) and I came out firstly wanting to do that.
Cameron Norrie came from behind to upset Rafael Nadal in the biggest win of his career
Norrie had lost his four previous meetings with Nadal but got the better of him in Sydney
‘I had to stay super-patient. It was a super-physical match and I enjoyed it. It was huge to get through that one and finally beat him.
‘He beat me easily the last few times, so it’s a great way to end the year for me. It was a crazy atmosphere, thank you guys. It was a crazy match.’
Norrie, who defeated Alex de Minaur in his opening match at the new mixed-teams event as Britain beat Australia 3-2, was no match for Nadal in the opening set.
Norrie gave Great Britain a 1-0 lead over Spain in the team competition at the United Cup
Nadal, making his first appearance since the ATP Finals in November, delivered a series of stunning passing shots, but was unable to maintain his level.
Norrie broke the Spaniard in the sixth game of the second set and went on to dominate the decider, saving two break points while leading 3-2 before holding his nerve to clinch a statement win.
Britain’s Katie Swan will bid to put Britain 2-0 up in their Group D tie when she faces Spain’s Nuria Parrizas Diaz in the last match of the day.
Advertisement