United Cup LIVE: Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie has clinched one of his biggest victories of his career. The World No.14 defeated Rafael Nadal 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the United Cup on Saturday, 31st December 2022. This was Norrie’s first victory against the Spaniard. The Briton had lost their four previous meetings. With the victory, Norrie has given a 1-0 lead to Britain in the tie against Spain. Follow United Cup 2023 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
United Cup Highlights: Cameron Norrie clinches upset victory over Rafael Nadal in Men’s Singles tie at United Cup – Follow Nadal vs Norrie Highlights
In front of a capacity Ken Rosewall Arena crowd, the 27-year-old managed to clinch the victory after two hours and 45 minutes. Norrie now holds a 2-0 record on the new season, having defeated Australian Alex de Minaur in his opening match at the new mixed-teams event.
Great Britain, led by captain Tim Henman, won that opening Group D tie 3-2. Katie Swan will aim to double her nation’s lead when she faces Spaniard Nuria Parrizas Diaz in the last match of the day in Sydney.
In an entertaining clash, Nadal showed great agility to cover the court in the first set, firing an array of stunning passing shots to move ahead. The 36-year-old, playing his first match since the Nitto ATP Finals in November, struggled to maintain his level as the match went on, though, with Norrie upping his intensity to outlast the Spaniard in brutal exchanges.
The four-time tour-level champion gained the crucial break in the sixth game of the second set, before he stepped inside the baseline to dictate in the decider. After breaking, Norrie saved two break points at 3-2, 15/40, before he held his nerve to seal the biggest win of his career by ATP Ranking, letting out a roar.
