Australian Open 2026: How Cam Norrie can challenge third seed Alexander Zverev

Norrie and Zverev are set to clash in the night session on the John Cain Arena, starting from 7:30 UK time.

The Briton will be hoping to reach a career-best equalling fourth round at the Australian Open in a repeat of his 2024 round of 16 match in Melbourne.

On that day, Norrie fought back from 2-1 down to force the German to a fifth set tie-break but eventually lost 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(3).

Norrie has lost to Zverev on each of their previous six meetings but will be hoping to claim his first victory over the three-time Grand Slam runner-up on Friday morning.

We breakdown three ways Norrie could cause an upset against Zverev:

Mixing up game styles

When asked about playing Zverev again at the Australian Open, Norrie spoke at length about their previous match up.

Reflecting on what he learnt from that match and what he can take going into this clash, Norrie commented on the way he used variation to great effect.

“I used the drop shot unreal that day,” he said. “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.”

Expect to see Norrie add a bit more variety to his game against Zverev to try and take away some of the third seeds big weapons on his groundstrokes.

Playing the big moments

One stand out part of his game so far this tournament has been the way Norrie has handled the big moments.

In his opening round match against Benjamin Bonzi, the Briton saved 15/17 (88%) of break points faced and converted on 6/13 (46%) of his own break points.

Then in the second round, Norrie showed his composure and experience in two key tie-breaks against Emilio Nava, where the British star played solid consistent tennis. He also had to return from a rain delay at 4-3 in the fourth set tie-break to see out the victory in impressive style.

Norrie recognised that he maybe tried to force it in the final set tie-break in their previous meeting in Melbourne.

“I think maybe in that fifth set tie-break I missed a couple shots I would not usually go for. I think I'll just be a bit tougher in that tie-break. He was playing the extra ball.”

In the last 52 weeks on the ATP Tour, Norrie ranks above Zverev in key stats on pressure points. He’s saved 65.5% of break points faced (ranked 18^th on tour) to the German’s 62.5% and has a higher ‘Under Pressure Rating’ according to ATP stats.

Making it a physical contest

Norrie will need to lean into the biggest asset of his game – his physicality.

The British star is known for his relentlessness on court and the way he fights for every point. If he’s going to beat Zverev, Norrie will likely have to turn this match into a bit of a dog fight and drag it out over four or five sets.

Unfortunately for Norrie, he won’t have the 36 degree weather that he was asking for in his press conference, so the Brit knows he’s going to have to push even harder to extend the rallies.

“It's a match I feel quite comfortable with, especially in the rally I'm going to get rhythm. I'm going to have to really to push him and make him uncomfortable, like I said, for four hours to have a chance with him because he's a very complete player.”

It’s also worth noting that Zverev was forced to take a medical timeout in the previous round, which he was asked about after the match.

“I took a pain killer and it was fine after that. I’m not someone that takes a lot of medical timeouts, but I was a bit scared because it was towards the Achilles tendon and there have been a lot of Achilles tendon injuries in the past on tour. I was a bit afraid.

“I just wanted the physio to check it out, but after the medical timeout I was playing fine. I was moving fine. I hope tomorrow it’s going to be fine as well.”

Watch Norrie vs Zverev in the third round of the Australian Open from 7:30 only on TNT Sports and Discovery+.