BARCELONA: Cameron Norrie navigated a late twist at the Barcelona Open, where he held off a spirited comeback from 41-year-old Stan Wawrinka.
After failing to serve out the match at 5-4 in the second set, Norrie ultimately battled for a dramatic 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4 win after two hours and 33 minutes at the ATP 500 event.
Norrie, the World No. 24, is into the second round in Barcelona for the fifth time in his past six appearances. He will next face American qualifier Ethan Quinn, who earlier defeated countryman Reilly Opelka 7-5, 7-6(7). It will be their first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.
Wawrinka meanwhile ended his relationship with the city that dates back to 2004—more than two decades ago—when he played his first Godo and lost in the opening round to Felix Mantilla.