Alexander Zverev critical of his serving after defeating Cameron Norrie
Alexander Zverev delivered a surprisingly critical assessment of his own serving after defeating Cameron Norrie in the third round of the Australian Open, reports BritPanorama.
Norrie’s defeat marked the end of British involvement at Melbourne Park, as the 30-year-old was the last player from the UK remaining in the draw. Zverev prevailed in four sets on John Cain Arena, ultimately proving too formidable an opponent for Norrie.
The former British No 1 put up a determined fight throughout the tournament, overcoming considerable challenges in his opening matches. His initial match extended to a gripping five sets, but he could not sustain momentum against last year’s finalist Zverev.
Speaking after his match, Zverev expressed dissatisfaction with his serve despite securing victory. “I actually thought I was serving bad,” the German remarked during his post-match interview. However, he noted that his forehand was pivotal in his win over Norrie, stating, “If I’m hitting it that way and if I feel confident in that shot, it’s always very important.”
The crowd vocally backed Norrie, who once again received strong support from Australian fans. In the wake of the match, Zverev complimented Norrie, calling it “the best match” they’ve played, highlighting the quality of their clash.
Zverev’s victory extends his dominance over Norrie to seven consecutive wins, leaving the Briton still seeking a breakthrough against the former US Open finalist. Despite exiting in the third round, Norrie can take pride in his performance throughout the tournament, having only been stopped by a top seed.
The trajectory of Norrie’s performance signifies considerable improvement from last year, when he fell at the first hurdle against Matteo Berrettini in Melbourne. His 2025 campaign reflects an upward trend, indicative of his potential to compete at the highest levels moving forward, as he faced tough competition in subsequent Grand Slam tournaments.
As players advance in the tournament, the quality of the matches is expected to heighten, providing compelling narratives as the Australian Open unfolds.
