Cameron Norrie has defeated Alex de Minaur to supply Nice Britain with a powerful begin on the United Cup.
Sydney, Australia, 29 December 2022 | Tennis Australia
Cameron Norrie has ended Alex de Minaur’s hopes of a successful begin for Australia on the United Cup, with the Brit claiming a 6-3 6-3 victory at Ken Rosewall Area.
The world No.14 Norrie was calm underneath strain earlier than a passionate dwelling crowd in Sydney, securing victory over the Twenty third-ranked Australian in 90 minutes.
Withstanding early breakpoints towards De Minaur, the left-handed Norrie utilised his backhand fantastically to interrupt and seize a 3-1 lead towards the Australian. He maintained that result in take the primary set in 39 minutes.
The second set adopted an analogous sample, Norrie gaining the higher hand with breaks within the fifth and closing recreation.
“It’s by no means simple popping out right here in Australia to play Alex de Minaur, he loves it – particularly on this court docket,” stated Norrie of the famend crew performer.
“He’s such an ideal competitor and it’s the right match to start out off 2023.”
With robust help from crew captain Tim Henman and his British team-mates, the 27-year-old famous the festive ambiance in his inaugural United Cup match.
“The ambiance was nice,” stated Norrie, who levelled his head-to-head file towards De Minaur after shedding to him at Barcelona final 12 months. “It was a extremely good match. I actually loved it.”
De Minaur, who led Australia to a runner-up end within the 2022 Davis Cup Finals, acknowledged the troublesome begin to the brand new tennis 12 months.
“Finally you need to begin the season in the easiest way potential and actually get in a groove early on,” the 23-year-old famous.
“Generally it occurs and first time you step out on court docket it seems like every thing has labored. Clearly that is my first match shortly and it simply didn’t click on in the present day, so I’ll look to hopefully construct on that and do my finest to get that feeling again.”
The Australian vowed to work exhausting of his subsequent United Cup match, by which he’s scheduled to face prolific Spaniard Rafael Nadal.
“I’ve bought to be higher, that’s the truth,” stated De Minaur. “I’ll get again on the coaching court docket and ensure I’m higher for my subsequent match.”
It’s a well-known optimism for Australian co-captain Lleyton Hewitt. “I’m so pleased with this bloke and the hassle and the way me makes taking part in for his nation a precedence,” he stated.
Zoe Hives fought exhausting to degree the rating for Australia towards Katie Swan.
After dropping the primary set, the 26-year-old Victorian took a 3-0 lead within the second, earlier than Swan stormed again to win six straight video games and safe a 6-4 6-3 victory. It delivered a 2-0 lead for Nice Britian.
Australia returns to the court docket tomorrow night, with Ajla Tomljanovic scheduled to face Harriet Dart and Jason Kubler assembly Dan Evans.
Aussies in motion – United Cup
RESULTS
GREAT BRITAIN LEADS AUSTRALIA 2-0
Cameron Norrie (GBR) d Alex de Minaur (AUS) 6-3 6-3
Katie Swan (GBR) d Zoe Hives (AUS) 6-4 6-3
COMING UP
Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) v Harriet Dart (GBR)
Jason Kubler (AUS ) v Dan Evans (GBR)
> BUY NOW: Get your tickets for the United Cup
