Australia’s Aleksander Vukic has pushed British No 2 Cameron Norrie through the Canadian Open exit door after coming out on top in a three-set battle.
Norrie, 29, overcame a one-set deficit and a medical timeout to force a decider against the Australian world No.99 in their second-round clash in Toronto on Wednesday.
But Norrie, who received a first-round bye, was unable to complete the comeback as his US Open preparations were dealt a blow by a 6-3 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 defeat in just over two hours.
Vukic wrapped up the first set in 33 minutes after Norrie, the world No.39, had saved four break points but still dropped his opening service game.
That proved to be the only break of serve across the opening two sets, with Wimbledon quarter-finalist Norrie ultimately levelling courtesy of a tie-break after requiring on-court treatment while leading 6-5 in the second set.
Vukic survived two break points in game five of the final set, a pivotal moment compounded by Norrie immediately failing to hold.
Vukic was one game from victory when a rain delay prolonged the match before returning to finish the job and set up a last-32 meeting with either American seventh seed Frances Tiafoe or Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki.
Australian interest continues in Toronto with Alex de Minaur due to take on Argentina’s Francisco Comesana and Christopher O’Connell facing Stefanos Tsitsipas, of Greece, later in the evening.
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au