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Australian Open: Cameron Norrie says 'patience' needed for British success as hopes dashed with defeat to Alexander Zverev - 'It's coming'

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Last Brit standing Cameron Norrie has been ousted from the Australian Open following a third-round defeat to Alexander Zverev. Norrie represented the last British hope in Melbourne, following early-round exits from the likes of Emma Raducanu, Jacob Fearnley and Katie Boulter. Zverev will face Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round, as he looks to break his Grand Slam duck.

'There's so much to come' from young British tennis players, says Norrie

Video credit: TNT Sports

Cameron Norrie feels there is "so much to come" from British tennis players after exiting the Australian Open as the last Brit standing with defeat to Alexander Zverev.

Zverev, looking to go one better than his runners-up placing last year, was unforgiving in his display - wearing down the typically-resilient Norrie and ultimately outclassing him as the match wore on, a show of the German's credentials as he looks to break his Grand Slam duck.

Norrie represented the final British singles hope in Melbourne, following Emma Raducanu crashing out in the second round to Anastasia Potapova, while Arthur Fery reached the same stage before defeat to Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

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Jacob Fearnley, Sonay Kartal, Katie Boulter and Fran Jones each lost in the first round - while Jack Draper withdrew ahead of the tournament through injury.

Despite no Brits making it to the second week of the season-opening Grand Slam, Norrie is hopeful of a bright future. Asked whether Britain is underachieving, Norrie said: "Could be, but I think there's so much to come.

"There are so many players, younger players especially, coming through. I think it was a little bit unfortunate with some injuries this year. Jack, as well.

Watch: Norrie 'up for this fight' as he fires winner against Zverev

Video credit: TNT Sports

"But I think we need to be patient, and I don't see why there can not be at least five, six, seven guys in the top 100, and we're doing everything we can. I think it will help when Jack is back healthy, and I have no doubt Jack is going to come back firing.

"I think for those guys especially, you know, they're in and around Jack's age. They can take a lot of confidence playing juniors with Jack and then Jack doing well, and Jack inspiring them and relating to him, as well as me.

"I think we have to be patient, but for sure, it's coming. We have such great coaches, such great people, and I don't see why not. If everyone is doing the right thing, they can make it, because we have the talent."

It was a strong start from the British No. 2, reeling off playing nine sets in his opening two matches in Melbourne - as he immediately broke Zverev to love for a 2-0 lead in the first set, notably stepping in and attacking everything thrown in his direction.

Experts react as last Brit standing Norrie loses out to Zverev

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Zverev, though, immediately broke back - finding a way through Norrie's fortification after he had saved three break points to put the opener back on serve.

The world No. 3 found the breakthrough, however, with a timely break for 6-5, and an emphatic, subsequent love hold put Norrie on the back foot.

Such circumstances were not uncommon for Norrie in his run to the third round. He fell a set behind to Benjamin Bonzi in his marathon first-round win, and has built something of a reputation as a battler.

He looked to force a contest with Zverev and levelled the match when he clinched the first break of the second set for 6-4.

However, as the match wore on, Zverev's supremacy began to appear increasingly apparent. In a third set lasting a little over half an hour - including several brief delays due to defecating birds overhead decorating the back of the court - Zverev thumped two breaks beyond Norrie, with seemingly no lasting effects from the Achilles issue he seemed to sustain during his second-round win.

And a dominant fourth set saw Zverev take back-to-back breaks to charge into a 5-0 lead. Seemingly with no answer to the German's serve, Norrie tumbled out of Melbourne.

Watch as bird poo causes havoc with Norrie and Zverev match halted

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I thought the level was really good from the match," Norrie said. "First three sets, very good. I was maybe a slight dip in that third set, but yeah, it was kind of constant pressure, I thought in all departments of the game.

"You know, he was serving well, returning well, forehand, backhand moving, and I had to really take a lot of risks to hang with him."

Speaking to TNT Sports after the defeat, Norrie laid out how he can propel himself back into the top 10.

The 30-year-old reached a career-best ranking at world No. 8 in 2022, after reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon. And he said his ability to compete against Zverev was encouraging.

Norrie reacts to 'tough day at the office' in third-round defeat to Zverev

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I think it’s all about how much I’m enjoying my tennis, and I was able to come here and do that," Norrie said. "I think I can take a lot of confidence from this match, hanging with one of the best players in the world, and know he was playing well tonight.

"How can I sustain that for longer periods of time is the big question. I was happy to be playing these matches in the third round, would be nice to go further.

"I need to keep improving my game, sharpen up, volleys, drop shots. I have to stay injury free and keep enjoying, but can take a lot of confidence right now."

Henman expected 'a little bit more' from Brits

TNT Sports expert Tim Henman said it was "a little bit underwhelming" to see no British players head into the second week of the Australian Open.

"[I expected] a little bit more," he said. "The whole narrative around British tennis at Grand Slams has changed so much.

"You go back 10, 15, 20 years - it was extremely limited, who was going to be winning rounds.

"There’s now such a bigger cohort playing in the biggest and best tournaments. It’s been a little bit underwhelming."

'Underwhelming' - Henman expected 'a little bit more' from Brits in Melbourne

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World No. 186 Fery showed encouraging signs for Britain on the opening day, when he upset No. 20 seed Flavio Cobolli in straight sets - having come through qualifying.

"Fery was a standout, coming through qualis and beating Cobolli. Cam getting through to the third round, that was what his seeding position was meant to do, and he said he takes confidence from his level.

"But in general, a little bit underwhelming for GB, but plenty more opportunities this year."

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