Zverev holds off Norrie in five for Australian Open QF spot

Alexander Zverev’s rock-solid Aussie summer rumbled on Monday in Melbourne.

The sixth-seeded German pulled through for a dramatic 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(10-3) triumph against Cameron Norrie to book his quarter-final spot at the Australian Open. In a roller-coaster match full of twists and turns, Zverev held his nerve in a deciding-set Match Tie-break to improve to 8-1 Down Under so far this season.

“At the end of the day, this is a Grand Slam. Everybody is playing their best here,” said Zverev, who opened 2024 by leading Germany to victory at the United Cup, in his on-court interview. “Cam was definitely playing amazing tennis and I’m just happy to be through.”

Zverev’s combination of big serving and consistent baseline play was only just enough to hold off the spirited charge of Norrie, who frequently came to the net or deployed drop shots to try and disrupt his opponents rhythm. Zverev decisively raised his level in the deciding tie-break, however, winning eight of the final nine points in the match for a four-hour, five-minute victory.

Zverev racked up 54 winners, including 15 aces, to improve his perfect Lexus ATP Head2Head record against Norrie to 5-0. The No. 6 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings is now 24-8 at the Australian Open, where he reached the semi-finals in 2020.

Now into his third quarter-final at Melbourne Park, Zverev will take on second seed Carlos Alcaraz next as he chases his maiden Grand Slam title. The second-seeded Spaniard breezed past Miomir Kecmanovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 on Monday night inside Rod Laver Arena.