Norrie’s Australian Open Run Ends as Zverev Powers Into Last 16
British interest in the singles at the Australian Open came to an end as Cameron Norrie was overpowered by world number three Alexander Zverev in a third-round clash at Melbourne Park.
Norrie showed flashes of his resilience and fighting spirit but was eventually beaten 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 by the German, last year’s runner-up, after two hours and 46 minutes on court.
Once again carrying the weight of British hopes, Norrie became the last Briton standing in the singles for the fourth consecutive Grand Slam. But the challenge was always steep. Zverev had beaten him in all six of their previous Tour-level meetings, including encounters at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2024, and that dominance ultimately told.
The 30-year-old Briton started brightly and even held a break advantage in the opening set, only for Zverev’s power and consistency to swing the momentum. After narrowly losing the first set, Norrie responded with his best tennis of the match in the second, feeding off strong crowd support that has become a familiar feature of his Melbourne campaigns.
At 5-4 in the second set, Zverev blinked, swiping a forehand into the net to hand Norrie a crucial break. It was the Briton’s first break point conversion since the early stages of the match and it allowed him to level the contest, reigniting belief inside a lively arena.
However, that momentum was short-lived. Zverev raised his level early in the third set, breaking Norrie within the opening three games and later striking again to reassert control. The gap between the two players became more evident in the fourth set, which unraveled quickly for Norrie as the German dictated play with authority from the baseline.
Despite his efforts, Norrie was once again unable to secure a first Grand Slam win over a top-five opponent. Zverev sealed victory with his 16th ace of the match, completing a third consecutive four-set win in Melbourne.
For Zverev, the victory keeps alive his pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam title. He will now face Argentina’s Francisco Cerúndolo in the last 16, continuing an impressive and measured run through the draw.
For Norrie, the defeat marked a familiar end to a promising campaign—spirited, well-supported, but ultimately halted by an opponent operating at a higher level when it mattered most.