The run of poor results continues for the British No.2 who was recently overtaken by Jack Draper whose world-ranking is fast improving in contrast to his own which is falling and currently stands at 44. It also means he won’t be seeded at Wimbledon which starts next Monday.
I’m shaking, I don’t know if you can tell Giles Hussey
Norrie was beaten by the Finnish No.1 Emil Ruusuvuori in the first round of the Rothesay International in Eastbourne, 7-6(9) 6-3 and follows similar losses in his last three tournaments having won only two matches in his last five events.
Ruusuvuori powered his way past Norrie over 97-minutes in the sunshine at Devonshire Park heavily denting the Brits preparations for The Championships.
There was absolutely nothing separating the two players as they duelled for an advantage and Norrie was later left to rue two missed break point opportunities in the sixth game.
The keenly contested opener was finally settled in the tiebreak with the Finn eventually claiming it on the 20th point!
Norrie attempted a quick response but failed to take advantage of three chances he held in the third game as Ruusuvuori’s confidence grew, pulling ahead 4-2 to getting closer to the finish line.
Emil Ruusuvuori shakes hands with Cameron Norrie .
(Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images for LTA)
Norrie was forced to hold to stay in the match but only prolonged the inevitable forthcoming loss with the Finn serving out in the next game and a place in round two where he will meet Jungcheng Shang of China, a 7-5 3-6 7-6(4) winner over the third seeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina.
But it wasn’t all bad news for home grown tennis on the sunny East Coast of Sussex
There was a stunning win for Britain’s Giles Hussey, who took a spot in the draw as a Lucky Loser against sixth seeded Mariano Navone of Argentina, receiving the call only 45-minutes ahead of the match.
And he took full advantage of his opportunity in his first match on the main tour, to storm into the second round after dispatching Navone 6-4 6-2 in just 64-minutes.
Giles Hussey grabs the late chance
(Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for LTA)
“I’m shaking, I don’t know if you can tell,” Hussey, 27, and world ranked 359, said.
“I just came out here and wanted to enjoy it. I was sat there 45 minutes before the match and didn’t know I was going to play today.
“I really didn’t know much about Mariano but I knew that he’s played predominantly on clay so I thought if I could come out here and just swing and go for my shots and try and rush him that that could be the best plan and, luckily, it all came off.”
Meanwhile, British number five and wildcard Liam Broady fell to a 6-3 6-3 loss against Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka on his return from and ankle injury sustained last March and a more recent concussion when he bashed his head on a car boot-lid earlier this month!
Also out is Henry Searle, another Lucky Loser entry who lost out to Lorenzo Sonego, last week’s Queen’s finalist, 6-3 6-2 but Billy Harris, who impressed at Queen’s by reaching the quarter finals, progressed at the expense of fellow Brit Jacob Fearnley 6-4 7-6(7).
