Norrie loses to Zverev to end British singles hopes

To put an end to British interest in Melbourne’s singles singles, Cameron Norrie lost to world number three Alexander Zverev in the third round.

Norrie won the second set despite a strong second set, but 2025’s Zverev, who finished 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, ultimately lost.

Norrie is no stranger to bringing home hopes; this is his fourth Grand Slam appearance as the last Briton to win a singles title.

The British number two was always faced with a difficult situation, having lost all six of his previous Tour-level encounters with Zverev.

In addition to the Grand Slam matches they played at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2024, they also participated in both Grand Slams.

After receiving some of the best crowd support of his career in his second round victory over American Emilio Nava, Norrie was once again well-backed at Melbourne Park.

The 26th seed had broken up with the first set, but after losing, she reacted favorably.

Norrie scored his first break point since the second set when Zverev headed into the net at 5-4 to bring the match level.

However, just three games into the third set, the Briton’s momentum was halted, and Zverev made sure with a second break to regain his advantage. He had yet to defeat a top-five player at a Grand Slam.

As Zverev powered to a successful conclusion, Norrie was left shaking his head as the fourth set quickly came to an end.

British top men’s doubles stars Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool were humiliated by Australian wildcard James McCabe earlier in the second-round.

The reigning Wimbledon champions Cash and Glasspool lost 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 to become the first all-British pair to top the year-end men’s doubles rankings.

The defending champions, fellow Briton Henry Patten and Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara, are the only remaining men’s doubles players in a men’s doubles draw that has already lost five of the top 10 pairings.

German fifth-seeded Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz, who were semi-finalists last year, both left on Friday.

Their bids ended early, along with those of Italy’s seventh seeds, Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli, eighth seeds Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys, and ninth seeds Francisco Cabral and Lucas Miedler, who are also runners-up to 2025.

However, sixth seeds Christian Harrison and Briton Neal Skupski safely advanced to the third round against Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar from Spain, winning by 6-3, 6-2.