Norrie into US Open third round as Korda withdraws, faces Djokovic

Cameron Norrie advanced through a rain of drama and bruising rallies at the US Open, progressing to the third round after a first round opponent retired with injury and then surviving a fierce, extended contest with Francisco Comesana. The British number two moved on when American Sebastian Korda withdrew with a back problem after falling two sets behind, and later outlasted the Argentine in a four set match that required a tense final tiebreak. Norrie now returns to face Novak Djokovic, setting up a high-profile rematch early in the tournament.

Norrie’s opening match on Court 17 featured both physical attrition and psychological gamesmanship. The contest against Korda began as a close technical battle but quickly swung as tensions rose. Observers saw frequent exchanges of stares and audible celebrations from Norrie after key points, tactics that have fuelled his growing reputation for getting under opponents’ skin. Korda displayed visible frustration during the match and then called for treatment to his back after Norrie broke at the start of the second set. Trailing 7-5, 6-4, Korda opted to retire, handing Norrie passage to the last 64 for the sixth time at Flushing Meadows.