Australian Open 2026: Cam Norrie loses out to Alexander Zverev in four sets
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British No.2 Cam Norrie is out of the Australian Open after losing to world No.3 and last year’s runner-up Alexander Zverev.
Norrie put up a strong fight but Zverev’s impressive serve and forehand in the third and fourth sets saw the German through 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in two hours and 47 minutes.
Zverev continued his winning record against Norrie to seven matches and now moves on to play Francisco Cerundolo in the next round.
For Norrie, it’s a disappointing loss after another solid Grand Slam campaign – claiming wins over Benjamin Bonzi and Emilio Nava in the opening rounds.
In his last four Grand Slams, Norrie has lost out in tough draws against Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Zverev.
Norrie made a but was unable to capitalise on his early 2-0 lead in the first set, with Zverev firing straight back on the Brit's following service game.
In a big moment late in the set, Norrie didn’t do enough with a key volley, giving Zverev the chance to rip a forehand down the line and take the final decisive break of the set.
It felt like momentum might have started to shift in the German’s direction but Norrie stayed resilient. The Brit saw off three break points at 2-2, before turning the set in his favour.
Leading 5-4 on Zverev’s serve, Norrie saw his chance and took it. The 30-year-old hit a scorching forehand return to bring up set point and then backed it up with another to level at the first time of asking.
The celebrations were cut short after a few loose shots from Norrie in the third game of the third set saw Zverev take the early break advantage and set the tone for the rest of the match.
He lost just two points on serve to see out the set, before hitting a dynamite backhand to set up and then convert break point on Norrie’s first service game of the fourth.
From 4-0 down, Norrie saw break point opportunities come and go on Zverev’s final two service games as the German went on to extend his unbeaten run against left-handers to 10 matches.
The Brits will continue in the Australian Open doubles draws with wheelchair tennis action also set to start next week.
