Cameron Norrie kept the British flag flying and secured a third-round meeting with Rafael Nadal with victory over Russian Roman Safiullin at the Australian Open.
Norrie overcame the world number 183 and a rain delay of over an hour to triumph 3-6 7-5 6-3 7-6 (3) in a match which finished shortly before midnight.
A slow start saw the 25-year-old drop the first set despite an early break but he hit back to lead 2-1.
At 1-1 in the fourth set the rain began to fall on Court 8 and the players were taken off.
Moving on ⏭️ @cam_norrie navigates a rain delay to defeat Safiullin 3-6 7-5 6-3 7-6(3) 🇬🇧#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/TFlRLVcrmU — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 11, 2021
They were allowed to resume under the roof of the Margaret Court Arena once the scheduled matches on the showcourt were completed.
In a tight fourth set Norrie failed to convert nine break points but was successful at the 10th attempt, only for Safiullin to break straight back.
But Norrie convincingly won the tie-break to book a first showdown with the 20-time grand slam champion.
Norrie hopes the mid-match switch to the showcourt will help him against Nadal.
He said on court: “I definitely used the crowd. Keep drinking those tins up there guys.
“I think we both raised our level and I’m happy to get through. I’m playing Rafa next so it’s nice to get used to one of these courts.
“I’ve never played him before so it will be a great experience for me.”
Norrie said he may get in touch with Sir Andy Murray to ask his advice, and added: “I think I just have to go after it and, yeah, enjoy every minute against him. He’s such a legend of the game, but on Saturday night, just another player.
“He’s a human being. Just go out there and give it to him and see what happens.”
