Cameron Norrie qualified for the round of 16 of the ongoing Australian Open 2024 after beating Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-7(9), 6-4, 6-3 at the John Cain Arena, Melbourne, on Saturday.
Norrie’s flawless display outplayed the four-time Grand Slam finalist as the Norwegian only managed to win one set in the four-setter.
With his win over Ruud, Norrie is now the only Briton remaining in either singles draw. This was also the first time the 28-year-old managed to defeat a top 20 player in Grand Slams, the first came at the US Open 2020 when he beat Diego Schwartzman.
Not just that, Norrie also became the first British player to reach the Australian Open fourth-round side Kyle Edmund in 2018.
“I had to play really brave,” said Norrie after the match. “I almost won that second set but Casper played well. I did not let it bother me. It was a good mental performance to come out with a lot of energy in the third set. I just kept to a really good level during the match and I stuck to my gameplan and I got through.
In a near-flawless performance, Norrie hit 62 winners, winning 41 points at the net and opened up after the match that he was working on the aggression.
"I've been working hard in the off season to be a little more aggressive and managed to do that," Norrie added.
The Brit will now face one of Germany’s Alexander Zverev or American teenager Alex Michelsen. Whoever his opponent is going to be, one thing for sure is Norrie will enter the match with high confidence courtesy of his impeccable performance against Ruud.
