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 deciding tie-break proved costly as Zverev won.
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 final-set 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.
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