Australian Open 2024 results: Cameron Norrie loses to Alexander Zverev in Melbourne

Britain’s Cameron Norrie fell short of the Australian Open quarter-finals as sixth seed Alexander Zverev edged an absorbing five-setter by winning a first-to-10 deciding tie-break.

Norrie, seeded 19th, lost 7-5 3-6 6-3 4-6 7-6 (10-3) to Germany’s Zverev.

After one of his best performances at a major to beat Casper Ruud in the third round, Norrie played even better against Olympic champion Zverev.

But his mistakes in the tie-break of a tense final set proved costly.

Norrie, who had never previously beaten a top-10 opponent at a Grand Slam event, had been bold and aggressive in the key moments as he twice fought back to level.

However, he was unable to execute as well in the decisive tie-break and looked understandably dejected as he walked back to the locker room.

“At the end of the day it is a Grand Slam and everyone is playing their best here. Cam has been playing amazing tennis and I’m just happy to be through,” said a relieved Zverev, who secured victory after four hours and five minutes.

Zverev, aiming for his first Grand Slam title, will face Spanish second seed Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Two-time major champion Alcaraz, 20, won 6-4 6-4 6-0 in his last-16 match against Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic.

Norrie had not beaten Zverev in their four previous meetings – not even taking a set – and planned to analyse videos of those matches to concoct a gameplan which could hurt the former world number two.

Facing a similar winless run against three-time major finalist Ruud, Norrie regularly rushed to the net and played boldly in an attacking display.

The question was whether the British number one would employ similar tactics against Zverev or retreat to a more accustomed style of grinding from the baseline.

While he was not as keen to go forward as often, wary of Zverev’s ability to pass him with backhand, Norrie continued to mix up things in a bid to reach the Melbourne quarter-finals for the first time.

But, after executing so well throughout the contest, the 28-year-old’s game unravelled in the fifth-set tie-break.

Two poor dropshots helped Zverev move into a 4-2 lead and from that point, it quickly slipped away from Norrie.

A double fault put Zverev 6-2 ahead and the German used the momentum to seal a victory that ended British interest in the singles at Melbourne Park this year.

Despite the pain of not reaching the second Grand Slam quarter-final of his career, Norrie will eventually reflect on an encouraging start to the 2024 season.

The left-hander struggled for form at the end of last season but, seeing him returning reinvigorated with extra facets to his game, bodes well for his hopes of returning to the world’s top 10.

Midway through the third set, there was a short stoppage when a protester threw ‘Free Palestine’ and anti-war leaflets on to the court.

The woman, who was standing on the front row behind one of the baselines, was booed by many in the crowd before she was dragged out of Margaret Court Arena by two other spectators.

Ball kids quickly picked up the paper as Norrie and Zverev, who was receiving at that end of the court, briefly returned to their chairs.

Shortly after the protester had left the stadium, the pair who removed her returned to huge applause with the match having already resumed.