Last Brit standing Norrie capitulates to Zverev

Last Brit standing Cameron Norrie lost 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 to  World number three Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open third round to end British interest in the Melbourne singles..

Norrie is is accustomed to carrying home hopes into a second week in the slams and this was the fourth consecutive Grand Slam in which he has carried that burden, and 14 of the past 20 Slams.

The British No. 2 faced an uphill task, having lost all six of his previous Tour-level meetings with the 2025 runner-up here.

This defeat made it 7-0 Zverev in a run which included both the Grand Slam matches they contested at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2024.

30 year old Norrie was again well supported by the Melbourne Park crowd  having enjoyed some of the best crowd support of his career during his second round win over American Emilio Nava.

Norrie has yet to defeat a top-five ranked player at a Grand Slam.

For cash rich British Tennis, thanks to Wimbledon’s revenue, this was embarrassingly the second slam running without a home grown player making it to the second week.

For all the  determination  and spirit he delivers  every time he steps on the court, Norrie  still lacks the firepower to consistently beat the top players.

Zverev finished off the match with his 16th ace after two hours and 46 minutes, making it a third consecutive four-set win at Melbourne Park’

His search for his  maiden Grand Slam title continues against Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.