20 January 2023 , 08:52
1026
0
Cameron Norrie has crashed out of the Australian Open after losing in five sets to Jiri Lehecka.
After seeing fellow Brit Andy Murray pull off one of the most remarkable five-set victories tennis has ever witnessed, Norrie had planned to do the same after being taken the whole way by his Czech opponent.
However, Norrie just didn't have enough in the tank losing the final set 6-4, meaning Murray and Dan Evans - who faces a very tough third round match against Andrey Rublev - are the only Brits left in the men's draw.
Despite initially struggling in the breezy conditions, the British No 1 managed to clinch an opening set tie-break 10-8 but was immediately pegged back in the second losing 6-3. However, the momentum swung in his favour again as he took the third by the same score.
But 21-year-old Lehecka wasn't done there, cruising to the fourth set 6-1 and seemingly had all the momentum heading into the nail-biting decider in the Kia Arena.
Novak Djokovic won Australian Open despite playing with major hamstring tear
The result will represent a huge disappointment for Norrie, who had overcome his opponent - ranked 71st in the world - on the way to the final of the ATP tournament in Auckland last week.
And he had plenty of confidence heading into the contest, having beaten both Rafael Nadal and Taylor Fritz at the United Cup.
Lehecka's big serve and forehand were causing Norrie all sorts of problems early on, with the Brit having to save three break points in the first set, before coming down from 6-4 in the tie-break.
Czech youngster Jiri Lehecka celebrates his third-round victory at the Australian Open (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Despite clinching the opening set in dramatic fashion, Norrie wasn't his usual self, missing forehand after forehand - with Lehecka holding onto an early break to claim the second set.
Norrie appeared to find his rhythm in the third, making only six unforced errors compared to 27 in the first two sets, which saw him grab the lead again.
However, the momentum switched all of a sudden again early in the fourth and Norrie was then in big trouble when he dropped serve again in the first game of the deciding set.
While he fought hard to remain in the contest, he couldn't replicate the heroics of Murray and Lehecka held his nerve to seal the biggest moment of his young career to date.