(Tennis news) Cameron Norrie defeated Andy Murray for the first time in his career 3-6 6-3 6-4 at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. The two players have only faced each other once before in 2019 and it was far from a one sided fixture between the two players until Murray suffered a cramp late in the third set. The Scot received treatment from the physiotherapist and went on to apply pressure on Norrie in the next game, however, the 26 year old held his ground to secure the win. 

Such was Murray’s condition that the player had to undergo more treatment after the match to be able to walk off the court. Norrie will now face American wildcard Ben Shelton, who defeated Casper Ruud 6-3 6-3, in the next round but before that, the 26 year old will partner Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur for the doubles match against Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies on Wednesday. 

Speaking after the match, Norrie said “I think there really wasn't much in it. It just came down to a little bit of physicality and it didn't really help him [Murray] that his match with Stan [Wawrinka] went really, really long. He was struggling a little bit towards the end and I just tried to put a lot of balls in the court in the end. For me, I'm still battling with the conditions a little bit, trying to get used to them. I'm trying to find rhythm on my serve. I've got a doubles match later to try and work on that. I really just got through with my attitude, I just tried to stay as positive as I could." 

In other results, Rafael Nadal succumbed to a 6-7(9), 6-4, 3-6 defeat to Borna Coric at the Western and Southern Open. The Spaniard was playing in his first match after being forced to withdraw from Wimbledon’s semi-final against Nick Kyrgios due to an abdominal tear. Both players went toe-to-toe but Nadal looked visibly rusty and eventually lost to Coric who will now face Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round. Nadal will hope to recover his form in time for the US Open and get back on top of the ATP ranking.

During the on-court interview after the match, Borna Coric said “It has been very, very special. I was out for the last two years and I didn't play on the big stage in front of the crowd and everybody. I was honestly just looking forward to playing this match as I haven't had that in the last two years. Now that I won, it's kind of crazy." In other results, Sebastian Korda defeated Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-1, 6-4. 

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