Australian Open 2026: Cameron Norrie advances to the third round after being delayed by rain

Cameron Norrie couldn’t have been far behind Great Britain at the Australian Open, but he still received support worthy of a career-high ‘top three’ during his second-round match.

The British second seed defeated American Emilio Nava in four sets with a score of 6-1, 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 7-6 (7-5).

He is officially the last British player in singles, as has been the case at the past three Grand Slams, after Emma Raducano lost to Austria’s Anastasia Potapova, and Argentine Thomas Martin Echeverry edged past Arthur Ferry on Wednesday.

The Brits always attract fans at Melbourne Park, but the crowd created a particularly “amazing atmosphere” for the 26th seed throughout his three hours and 20 minutes on court.

But what does it rank in Nouri’s career?

“I would say the atmosphere was better at the Australian Open,” he said.

“The big question is: Where’s the next party? We have to keep going, straight to the crown [casino and entertainment resort in Melbourne]”.

Nouri arrived on court shortly after 17:30 local time, and succeeded in winning the first two sets in just over an hour and a half before Nava was able to regain his balance in the third set.

Then came the ill-timed rain, suspending play for nearly an hour and halting the fourth set in a fourth-set tiebreak – with Norrie still three points away from victory.

“I was laughing at myself and felt so relieved when I came out afterward,” Nouri said.

“It was very difficult for the fans. There was so much atmosphere that it was completely packed. It was a shame the game didn’t end like that in that atmosphere.”

The world number 27 explained that he felt as if the fans were “on top of the court” at times, adding: “I could look anywhere and there was someone getting excited for me.”

Fans also interrupted his post-match on-field interview chanting his name, so it’s fair to say he won the hearts of the locals.

In the next round, Nouri will face third-seeded German Alexander Zverev, who beat Frenchman Alexander Muller in four sets and won his previous six matches, including a deciding set tiebreak in Melbourne two years ago.

“I’m excited to have another crack at it.

“I’ll remember that if I go back to a fifth-set tiebreak, I’ll try to be more aggressive and be the one to do it, and maybe not save a shot in the tiebreak. We’ll see.”