NORRIE ON THE UP
Cameron gets a hill start for Grand Slam glory bid
CAMERON NORRIE has raced into the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time after spending lockdown running up hills in New Zealand.
And the British No. 3 believes he has the stamina to keep going in New York before facing world No. 99 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina today.
Norrie knocked out No. 9 seed Diego Schwartzman in a five- set first- round marathon at the US Open, before leaving Federico Coria in his wake.
Andy Murray had complained before the Battle of Brits in June that the Johannesburg- born star enjoyed an unfair advantage after training in sealed- off New Zealand in the summer.
The former US college star moved to New Zealand with his British- born parents David and Helen as a toddler and they still live in Auckland.
“After Indian Wells ( in March) I went straight there,” said Norrie.
“I actually took a full six weeks off from tennis but that helped me in a way getting to relax and living the simple life and doing fitness. I ran a lot and was doing these 10k runs.
“It was real hilly where I was, so it wasn’t easy to find a quick track, but I did 36.45 for 10km and a 17.20 for 5km.
“I enjoy the endorphin rush when you’ve finished running – and a quick swim at the beach, so I had a nice little routine going in lockdown.”
The 25- yearold showed his winning mentality this week by saving two match points against
Schwartzman – and all 11 break points on his serve in the third set against Coria.
He said: “It’s great to be in the third round for the first time. I feel great. I’ve played some of my best tennis at Slams.”
London- based Norrie is guaranteed £ 120,930 for winning two matches in New York, his biggest pay cheque ever.