Cameron Norrie makes British tennis history in win over John Isner

British number one Cameron Norrie has claimed a battling win over American John Isner to reach the last 16 of the Madrid Masters as he simultaneously made British men’s tennis history. 

Cameron Norrie reached the third round in the Spanish capital for the first time as he beat the 37-year-old Isner 6-4, (5)6-7, 6-4 in two hours and 16 minutes.

After a break each in the early stages, Norrie struck at 5-4 ahead to take the first set and put himself in pole position over his American opponent.

The second set was a tightly contested affair, with the Briton ruing missed chances to break his opponent at 2-2, as the 16-time tour titlist John Isner eventually claimed the second set via a tie break.

But Norrie wasn’t to be denied, keeping his composure and outlasting his big-serving opponent by getting the crucial break at 3-2 and holding his own serve from there on in.

Norrie’s reward for his impressive display is a last 16 tie against Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz. The 26-year-old will be looking to gain revenge on the teenager Alcaraz, who beat the Brit in the Indian Wells Masters quarter-finals in March.

Wednesday was a great day for British tennis as only two hours prior to Norrie’s match, the British number two Dan Evans also claimed a spot in round three.

The 31-year-old defeated Castellon-born Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(2) serving impeccably as he hit nine aces with a first serve win percentage of 80%.

Norrie and Evan’s wins after Andy Murray’s victory on Tuesday, meant that it is the first time ever that three British men have ever made it to the last 16 of an ATP Masters event.

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