Cameron Norrie put on a show to beat Rafael Nadal in a ‘crazy match’ as the British No 1 rallied from a set down at the United Cup in Sydney to claim the biggest win of his career
- Cameron Norrie comes from a set down to beat Rafael Nadal 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
- He produced some of his best tennis to give Great Britain a 1-0 lead over Spain
- Prior to this, Norrie had never taken a set against Nadal in four previous meetings
Cameron Norrie sealed the biggest win of his career by beating former world No1 Rafael Nadal at the United Cup in Sydney.
Norrie won 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the sold-out Ken Rosewall Arena to give Great Britain a 1-0 lead over Spain in the inaugural mixed international team competition.
The 27-year-old said in his post-match interview: ‘It’s crazy. I was thinking that I had never won a set before (against Nadal) and I was the first one to come out wanting to do that.
Cameron Norrie came from behind to upset Rafael Nadal with the biggest win of his career
Norrie had lost his four previous meetings with Nadal but he triumphed in Sydney
‘I had to stay very patient. It was a super-physical match and I enjoyed it. It was huge to get through that one and finally beat him.
‘He beat me easily the last few times, so it was a great way to end the year for me. The atmosphere is crazy, thanks guys. It was a fun match.’
Norrie, who beat Alex de Minaur in his opening match at the new mixed-teams event as Britain beat Australia 3-2, was unable to hold on to Nadal in the opening set.
Norrie gave Great Britain a 1-0 lead against Spain in the team competition at the United Cup
Nadal, making his first appearance since the ATP Finals in November, delivered a series of stunning passing shots, but he was unable to maintain his level.
Norrie broke the Spaniard in the sixth game of the second set and went on to dominate the decider, saving two break points while leading 3-2 before holding on to take the statement win.
Nadal was forced to fend off questions about possibly following great rival Roger Federer into retirement after his latest defeat. ‘For me I lost my match, that’s all,’ said Nadal. ‘Every time I do a press conference I feel like I have to retire. At the moment this is not the case.’
Britain’s Katie Swan will be looking to put Britain 2-0 up in their Group D tie when she faces Spain’s Nuria Parrizas Diaz in the final match of the day.
