In a pulsating display of grit and determination, Britain's Cameron Norrie clawed his way into the US Open third round with a monumental five-set victory against Argentina's Mariano Comesana. The 2-6, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 triumph sets the stage for a dream clash with 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
A Rocky Start on Arthur Ashe
Norrie's campaign on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium began in disastrous fashion. The Argentine qualifier, Comesana, playing with fearless aggression, raced to a 5-0 lead, capitalising on a string of unforced errors from the British star. Despite Norrie saving two set points, the first set was swiftly wrapped up by the underdog in a mere 32 minutes.
The Fightback Begins
Displaying the resilience that has become his trademark, Norrie engineered a stunning turnaround. He broke Comesana's serve early in the second set, finding his range and rhythm to level the match. The momentum firmly shifted as Norrie dominated the third set, seemingly seizing control of the encounter.
Comesana Refuses to Surrender
Just when a straightforward victory seemed imminent, the match took another dramatic twist. The world No. 122 rediscovered his explosive shot-making, breaking Norrie to force a decider. The fifth set evolved into a nerve-shredding battle of attrition, with both players trading blows from the baseline under the New York lights.
A Grandstand Finish
With the match hanging in the balance at 4-4 in the final set, Norrie summoned his best tennis under immense pressure. A crucial break of serve, followed by a commanding hold to love, sealed a famous victory after three hours and 13 minutes of high-octane drama.
The Ultimate Test Awaits: Djokovic
This hard-fought win earns Norrie a coveted spot in the third round against the legendary Novak Djokovic. The Serbian maestro leads their head-to-head record 2-0, but Norrie will be buoyed by his incredible fighting spirit and recent form. This clash promises to be one of the highlights of the tournament's first week.
