Cameron Norrie channels his inner-Tim Henman on Australian Open odyssey

A boozy crowd roared Cameron Norrie to one of the best and most joyful performances of his career, as he beat 11th seed Casper Ruud to reach the second week of the Australian Open for the first time.

On a lazy Saturday afternoon in Melbourne, Norrie tapped into the weekend vibes with a display of rare freedom. Normally a cussed, intense performer who grinds away from the baseline, he suddenly re-imagined himself as a left-handed Tim Henman, rushing the net at every opportunity.

“The whole crowd, they’d had a few drinks,” said Norrie after his 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory. “They were enjoying themselves and got behind me. One guy was saying ‘Come on Nozz Dog’ every five minutes.

“I was working really hard in the off-season to be a little more aggressive,” Norrie added. “I managed to free up today and come forward. I managed to win a lot of points at the net. I was just enjoying myself out there. I played really free and I loved it.”

Here was a victory to cherish, and not just because Ruud is a three-time major finalist. There was also a real sense of excitement in watching Norrie cast off his usual persona as a methodical retriever.

The thinking here was exemplary. Norrie normally likes to play long and steady rallies, gradually crushing the life out of his opponents like a boa constrictor. But he knew that Ruud is one of the few players who can live with his ferocious physicality. This time, he decided to rely on his hand skills, not his mighty legs.

Ruud had beaten Norrie in all three of their previous meetings, yet he has an obvious weakness: a clunky, inflexible backhand, which Norrie did a fine job of targeting. In fact, Norrie’s strategy was the same as the one used by countless club players in their Sunday socials: hit to the backhand and then rush the net.

“He changed a few things since the three previous matches that we played,” said an impressed and slightly bemused Ruud after Norrie’s 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory. “He played aggressive and he neutralised my game. I didn’t go off the court thinking I played bad. I just was a little hesitant and didn’t hit with good enough depth, but he took advantage and came in and rushed me.”

Watching on from Norrie’s player box was not only Facu Lugones, his long-serving coach and former college team-mate, but also Stephen Huss – an Australian who won the men’s doubles title at Wimbledon in 2005. Huss had spent two weeks contributing to Norrie’s pre-season training block in Monte Carlo, and has clearly introduced a more cavalier mindset.

“He [Huss] had pretty good volleys himself,” said Norrie, who rushed the net a remarkable 56 times and won almost three quarters of those points. “He doesn’t give me praises too often, so I think he’ll be decently happy.”

This win was particularly sweet because Norrie had finished last season in something of a slump. Apart from a run to the third round of the US Open, he achieved nothing of substance after Wimbledon. His tennis also became stuck in a conservative pattern of plonking the ball back into the middle of the court and hoping his opponents got tired.

That’s why it was so encouraging to see Norrie switch his gameplan up here, and get on the front foot against a quality opponent. For the last time a Briton beat anyone seeded as high as Ruud at the Australian Open, you have to go back six years to Kyle Edmund’s quarter-final win over Grigor Dimitov, then ranked No 3 in the world.

In Norrie’s case, he is into the fourth round of a slam for the first time since the 2022 US Open, almost 18 months ago. He suggested before this event that, with his excellent physical conditioning, he should be more difficult to beat over best-of-five sets than best-of-three. In the past, though, this has not been the case. His winning ratio at the majors stands at 57 per cent, and on the rest of the tour it climbs a fraction to 58.

The explanation may be that, for most of his career, Norrie has been a little one-paced – an honest striver who struggles to lift his game. If he manages to stick with these ambitious tactics, it would represent a sensible upgrade at the biggest events, where most players are looking to peak. And he faces another man with undoubted stamina in the next round: namely Alexander Zverev, the 6ft 6in German who plays more marathon matches than anyone else.

Norrie’s ATP Tour record against Zverev is even worse than it was against Ruud: four matches, four straight-set defeats. There’s every reason to try something different this time around.

“The last few times I have played him it’s been a similar match every time,” Norrie said. “A tough set, and then he’s run away with it.

“I sat down yesterday with Facu and watched the matches with Casper back, and we talked a lot about what wasn’t working. I think there will be a lot of things in there with Zverev.”

Norrie beats Ruud: As it happened . . .

10:01 AM GMT

Last Briton standing

09:57 AM GMT

Who will Norrie play next?

He will meet the winner of Alexander Zverev and Alex Michelsen on Monday.

09:48 AM GMT

More Norrie reaction

09:41 AM GMT

Norrie reacts

09:36 AM GMT

Social media reaction

09:30 AM GMT

Delight for Norrie

09:23 AM GMT

WATCH: The winning moment for Norrie

09:19 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 Ruud*

Norrie miscues a forehand well long on the opening point but responds with a forehand volley winner. He’s excelled at the net today.

Forehand error by Norrie, 15-30. Signs of nerves and tension? Norrie hits back with a forehand volley winner again.

Match point Norrie after his third forehand volley winner of the game.

GAME SET MATCH NORRIE! And it is right that he ends the match at the net. Another deep approach shot, Ruud lifts up a lob but Norrie puts away the overhead with no trouble at all. Brilliant!

09:13 AM GMT

Norrie* 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 5-3 Ruud

Must win game for Ruud to keep his dreams alive and ask Norrie to serve it out.

He races to 40-0 but is pegged back to 40-30 after Norries drills a forehand down the line for a winner. Backhand long from Ruud after more pressure from Norrie.

Norrie wide off the mark with a forehand and Ruud survives. Norrie to serve for the match next...

09:06 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 5-2 Ruud*

Back comes Ruud as he earns a break point with a running forehand winner after another net approach from Norrie.

Norrie strikes back with an overhead winner to deny Ruud, deuce. And he holds after Ruud goes long with a backhand.

He’s a game away now.

09:01 AM GMT

Norrie* 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 4-2 Ruud

If Norrie can get this done he will reach the fourth round in Australia for the first time. Ruud makes sure it won’t be easy for Norrie with a love hold.

08:59 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 4-1 Ruud*

Perfect service game by Norrie as he backs up the back with a service hold to love. Ruud looks disillusioned and deflated.

08:58 AM GMT

Norrie* 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 3-1 Ruud

Back-to-back unforced errors from Ruud put him in a tricky spot, 0-30. And he now faces two break points on his serve after slicing a backhand into the net off a deep Norrie return.

NORRIE AT THE NET AGAIN! Deep forehand approach by Norrie, Ruud gets the ball back into play but Norrie coolly finishes the game with a volley winner.

Norrie breaks and is three games away from the match.

08:53 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 2-1 Ruud*

This is definitely the best I’ve seen Norrie play in a long time. Playing much better than his 19th seeding suggests. He holds to love with a forehand winner into the open court.

08:51 AM GMT

Norrie* 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 1-1 Ruud

A reminder that Norrie had never beaten Ruud in their three previous matches. Still a long way to go but this is a great chance to end that streak. Ruud doesn’t seem himself while Norrie is playing some inspired tennis.

Norrie takes Ruud to deuce after a great drop shot. Ruud survives Norrie’s fightback to level the set.

08:44 AM GMT

Fourth set: Norrie 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 1-0 Ruud* (*denotes next server)

Ruud makes Norrie wait in the break between sets. The Norweigan has had a change in clothes. But can he change what’s happening on the court?

Not in this game! Norrie races to 40-0 as he continues his attack-minded game plan. And he holds to 15 with a volley winner.

08:34 AM GMT

Norrie* 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 Ruud

Point of the match. 19 shots, Ruud tests Norrie with a lob which he meets well but Ruud reads the direction of the shot and whips a forehand winner into the open court, 15-0.

Norrie responds with his own whipped forehand winner into the corner, 15-15. The level of this contest is rising.

Another forehand winner from Norrie, 30-30. Big moment in the match coming up.

Explemary tennis by Norrie, taking the point to Norrie and finishing with a volley winner. Simple tennis executed to perfection.

Deep approach shot by Norrie and Ruud nets a defensive backhand. Norrie one set away from the second week.

08:28 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 6-7, 5-4 Ruud*

Norrie is called for a foot fault. He disagrees and calls for it to be checked. The call stands to Norrie’s frustration and he loses the point when Ruud hits a backhand winner, 30-15.

But back-to-back forehand errors from Ruud allows Norrie to hold serve.

08:23 AM GMT

Norrie* 6-4, 6-7, 4-4 Ruud

Ruud is having to weather a bit of a storm from Norrie at the moment but he does it well to hold to 15.

08:20 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 6-7, 4-3 Ruud*

Rapid service hold by Norrie to get ahead in the set again. He is winning 92 per cent of points on his first serve which is very good at this stage of the match.

08:18 AM GMT

Norrie* 6-4, 6-7, 3-3 Ruud

Norrie hits back by upping the intensity and aggression. He reads Ruud’s backhand down the line at the net and hits a brilliant stretch volley for a winner, 15-40.

Ruud saves the first with a wide first serve. And the second with another ace, deuce.

Norrie rushes Ruud into a forehand error, third break point. Perfect combination of shots from Norrie, first a backhand down the line and he finishes with a forehand volley winner. Norrie breaks back.

08:12 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 6-7, 2-3 Ruud*

Norrie doesn’t do enough with his sliced backhand approach and Ruud drills a backhand down the line, 15-30. Norrie responds with an ace down the T, 30-30.

Norrie shanks a forehand long, 30-40. Can Ruud finally break the Norrie serve? No, he can’t.

Norrie goes for the serve and volley on his 2nd serve, Ruud reads the situation and dips a backhand pass at Norrie’s feet and the Briton flicks the ball high and long to break for the first time.

08:08 AM GMT

Norrie* 6-4, 6-7, 2-2 Ruud

The 13th and 14th aces of the match from Ruud help him to hold serve in just 73 seconds. Norrie needs to find a way to get into these service games. They are starting to pass him by very quickly.

08:06 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 6-7, 2-1 Ruud*

Norrie continues to serve well in his own right. And he is not backing down from attacking the net whenever the opportunity comes along.

08:04 AM GMT

Norrie* 6-4, 6-7, 1-1 Ruud

Having taken the second set, the confidence is growing in Ruud’s game. He blitzes through another service. Norrie had no break points in the previous set.

07:59 AM GMT

Third set: Norrie 6-4, 6-7, 1-0 Ruud* (*denotes next server)

Important for Norrie to get back on track and he does so with a quick service hold. He is yet to be broken by Ruud today.

07:55 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 6-7 Ruud - TIE-BREAK

Ruud volley winner, 6-7. Norrie stays alive with a big wide serve, 7-7. Norrie on the run goes for a forehand down the line but nets, 7-8.

Ruud ace, 7-9. 

Ruud had to dig very deep there. Norrie will rue that missed backhand. He should have made that shot.

07:52 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 6-6 Ruud - TIE-BREAK

Norrie serve unreturned, 5-2. Ruud ace, 5-3. That was his ninth of the match. A 10th ace makes it 5-4.

More excellent net play by Norrie to wrong-foot Ruud, 6-4. Norrie gets a short ball but pushes a backhand down the line into the tramlines, 6-5. Norrie gets a look at a forehand pass but nets, 6-6.

07:49 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 6-6 Ruud - TIE-BREAK

Great anticipation from Norrie after Ruud goes down the middle to redirect a backhand cross court for a winner, 1-0. Norrie forehand long, 1-1. Norrie doesn’t get his approach shot right and Ruud punishes him with a cross court backhand winner, 1-2.

Speed from Norrie to reach Ruud’s drop volley and make the running forehand pass, 2-2. Pin point accuracy from Norrie to drill a backhand passing shot past Ruud for a winner.

Big first serve from Norrie is unreturned, 4-2.

07:44 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 6-6 Ruud*

Ruud shouts at his support box after netting a forehand, 15-15. The frustration is building for him. Forehand by Norrie into the tramlines, 30-30. Big point coming up...

Perfect response by Norrie as he hits his eighth ace of the match. And a ninth ace seals the game and forces a tie-break.

So impressive from Norrie.

07:40 AM GMT

Norrie* 6-4, 5-6 Ruud

Ruud books himself a tie-break by holding to 30. Can Norrie meet him there?

07:36 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 5-5 Ruud*

Ruud takes the initiative after a bit of hesitancy from Norrie and moves to 0-30. Too much power on the forehand from Ruud and Norrie levels at 30-30. Great defense by Ruud but even better composure from Norrie watch the high ball and finish with an overhead winner.

More excellent net play from Norrie to finish the game with a volley winner. His 17th of the match. Tactics are working very well.

07:31 AM GMT

Norrie* 6-4, 4-5 Ruud

Entering the business end of the set and Norrie is making his move. He takes the game to deuce having been 40-15 down.

But Ruud hangs on to make Norrie serve to stay in the set.

07:29 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 4-4 Ruud*

Flawless service hold from Norrie. Arguably his best of the match. I asked the question of whether he can maintain this level and he is proving that he can.

07:23 AM GMT

Norrie* 6-4, 3-4 Ruud

Norrie is yet to earn himself a break point since he broke Ruud in the first set. Ruud holds to love again.

07:22 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 3-3 Ruud*

A rare comfortable service hold for Norrie which he will take after the pressure he’s been under.

The match has gone into a bit of a lull. Neither player playing at a very high level.

07:17 AM GMT

Norrie* 6-4, 2-3 Ruud

Still on serve in the second set as Ruud holds to 30. He can take comfort in the fact he hasn’t played too badly so far. Just hasn’t been able to take his chances.

07:13 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 2-2 Ruud*

Classy play from Ruud as he drags Norrie out of position and whips a forehand winner into the open court, 0-30.

Defensive lob by Ruud lands just inside the baseline, Norrie opts to hit an overhead but nets, three break points. Can Ruud get it done this time?

Not the first attempt as he nets a backhand. And the second either as Norrie’s shows great defence and turns the point to offense.

Third break point saved! Norrie takes the ball early and blasts a forehand winner, deuce.

Norrie has been so clutch in the big moments. Eight break points saved now.

07:07 AM GMT

Norrie* 6-4, 1-2 Ruud

Fist pump from Ruud after completing another service hold with a forehand winner.

07:03 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4, 1-1 Ruud*

Norrie is having to work hard in his service games but he is mixing things up very well. He is recognising Ruud’s deep court position and hitting his drop shots very effectively.

But an ace on game point sees out the danger and levels the set.

06:58 AM GMT

Second set: Norrie* 6-4, 0-1 Ruud (*denotes next server)

How long can Norrie sustain this level? Can Ruud adjust to Norrie’s aggressive game plan?

The 11th seed starts the second set in a business-like fashion with a forehand winner to complete a third love hold of the match.

06:54 AM GMT

Norrie 6-4 Ruud*

Norrie slips to 15-30. Ruud gets a look at a short second serve but gets it all wrong, 30-30. Norrie back in trouble after spraying a forehand long, break point.

Chance goes for Ruud after a forehand long, deuce. Set point Norrie after Ruud finds the tramlines with a forehand down the line.

Special finish to the set from Norrie as he jumps into a short ball from Ruud and blasts a cross court backhand which barely catches the sideline.

06:47 AM GMT

Norrie* 5-4 Ruud

Serving to stay in the set, Ruud moves easily to 40-15 with some good serving. And he holds when Norrie’s backhand return flies long.

Pressure on Norrie to finish off the set now.

06:44 AM GMT

Norrie 5-3 Ruud*

Norrie continues to take time away from Ruud with his net play and willingness to come forward. A forehand winner and a third ace of the match secure another service hold.

06:41 AM GMT

Norrie* 4-3 Ruud

Back-to-back love service holds for Ruud, this one finished off with a second serve which swerved away from Norrie’s racket.

06:39 AM GMT

Norrie 4-2 Ruud*

Three errors in a row by Norrie gifts Ruud a 0-40 lead. Norrie saves the first break point. Then the second with an ace. And the third with another ace. Very good time for him to finally find his first serve.

Exceptional court coverage by Ruud to race up to a Norrie drop volley and flick a forehand winner into the open court, break point.

Great point. Ruud tries to go back behind Norrie with a forehand pass but Norrie anticipates well and makes the volley for a winner, deuce.

Serve and volley excellence by Norrie to survive. Looking like peak Tim Henman at the net today.

06:34 AM GMT

Norrie* 3-2 Ruud

Ruud gets back on track by completing the first service hold to love of this match.

06:29 AM GMT

Norrie 3-1 Ruud*

Now it’s Ruud struggling to find the court with his shots. The Norweigan looking slightly flustered by Norrie’s fast start.

Norrie backs up the break with a service hold to 15. Norrie having to rely on his second serve at the moment to bail him out of trouble.

06:26 AM GMT

Norrie* 2-1 Ruud

Beautiful touch from Norrie. He ends a 20-shot rally with a lovely backhand volley with Ruud doesn’t even try to run for, 0-15.

Ruud double fault, 0-30. An opening for Norrie here...

Great depth on a forehand from Norrie and Ruud miscues his backhand pass and it’s two break points. Clear tactic from Norrie to come forward to the net as often as possible to rush his opponent.

Deep Norrie return and Ruud mis-hits a forehand long. Norrie breaks.

06:21 AM GMT

Norrie 1-1 Ruud*

Important for Norrie that he matches Ruud’s aggression and doesn’t get too passive. Can’t drop his court position too deep in rallies either.

First extended rally of the match, 19 shots, Norrie hugs the baseline, taking the game to Ruud and finishes at the net with a volley winner, 40-15.

First game on the board for Norrie after Ruud’s backhand goes long.

06:18 AM GMT

First set: Cameron Norrie* 0-1 Casper Ruud (*denotes next server)

Slow start from Norrie as he allows Ruud to hold to 15. The Briton is a bit wayward with his shots and has yet to find his timing and accuracy.

Ruud is a very good frontrunner, Norrie won’t want to be chasing the score too much today.

06:09 AM GMT

Here we go!

It’s show time on John Cain Arena. The players are out, the sun is shining and I’m expecting a good match here.

06:03 AM GMT

Rod Laver: They can start putting part of Djokovic's initials on the trophy now

05:57 AM GMT

Day session round-up

Ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz came from a set down to beat France’s Ugo Humbert 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(4), 6-3 and will meet another Frenchman, Arthur Cazaux, in the fourth round.

Cazaux earned a quickfire 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win over Dutch 28th seed Tallon Griekspoor to reach the last 16 at a major for the first time.

Italy’s Jasmine Paolini blitzed Russia’s Anna Blinkova 7-6(1), 6-4 to set up a last-16 meeting with fellow fourth-round debutant Anna Kalinskaya.

05:51 AM GMT

Alcaraz into second week

Carlos Alcaraz was given a comfortable passage through to the fourth round at the Australian Open when opponent Shang Juncheng pulled out.

Playing a younger player than himself for the first time at tour level, Alcaraz dropped just two games before Shang called it a day trailing 6-1, 6-1, 1-0.

The Chinese youngster began the match with heavy strapping on his right thigh and took a medical timeout in the second set.

Alcaraz has made it through to the last 16 in Melbourne for the first time and will next face Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic.

05:41 AM GMT

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05:34 AM GMT

Day seven at the Australian Open

Hello and welcome to coverage of Cameron Norrie’s third round match at the Australian Open.

In the singles draw, Norrie is the last Briton left after the exits of Andy Murray, Dan Evans and Jack Draper. Norrie was close to joining his compatriots out of Melbourne but fought back from two sets down to beat Giulio Zeppieri in the previous round.

Norrie has lost all three previous matches against today’s opponent Casper Ruud and is eyeing revenge.

“He’s beaten me a few times in some really big matches,” said Norrie. “I’m going to look at those matches and see where I can improve.

“I think a lot of the time was down to execution and him staying a bit calmer than me in the bigger moments. Every time I played him, he served really, really well. I think his serve is quite underrated.

“I didn’t actually get a chance to watch one point of his (second-round) match, but I heard it was really high level from both. I’m looking forward to watching that one and then watching my previous matches with him to see what I can improve on and what I can do to make him uncomfortable out there.”

Ruud also came through a final set and deciding tie-break in the second round to beat Australia’s Max Purcell and is expecting another battle.

“He’s a tough competitor, for sure,” said Ruud. “He’s raising his level the past three, four years.

“He has a cool story. Came from college, took it to the next step from there. He’s a great player. I need to be on top of my game if I want to hang in there with him.

“I have played him a few times before, been able to beat him before. I know what has given me the win. He will try to seek revenge and find a way to beat me.

“It’s going to be a tough one. In a way we’re both in a similar situation, we had a tough five-setter.”

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