Australian Open LIVE: Cameron Norrie faces Casper Ruud in third round

Cameron Norrie 6-4 2-2 Casper Ruud*

Ruud continues to put pressure on the Norrie service games behind excellent defence, getting to 0-40, but Norrie’s play from there is impressive. He takes a brave, attacking approach to save all three break points and close it out with the forehand winner down the line. The great escape.

A huge win for two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka over Jelena Ostapenko! The 2012 and 2013 champion advances to the fourth round with a 6-1 7-5 win against the 11th seed. The draw is opening up nicely for Azarenka, who reached the semi-finals here last season, and she will face qualifier Dayana Yastremska for a place in the quarter-finals.

Cameron Norrie 6-4 1-1 Casper Ruud*

Great defence from Norrie as he reads the Ruud smash, works himself into the point and then puts away the forehand winner up the line. On 30-30, Norrie continues to play on the front foot and draws the error from Ruud as he approaches the net. But Norrie can’t do enough on the volley after finding the serve out wide and Ruud races across to put away the winner.

Deuce, and good variation from Norrie as he pins Ruud to the baseline before switching to the drop shot. Serve out wide… ace! Another good hold from Norrie.

Cameron Norrie 6-4 Casper Ruud* – Norrie wins first set!

A couple of nervy backhands from Norrie hands Ruud an opportunity at 15-30, only for Ruud to shank a forehand return facing the Norrie second serve.

Norrie then fires wide on the forehand from inside the baseline! A poor miss with Ruud beaten. Break point: but Norrie survives as Ruud goes long on the forehand.

And that’s well played! Norrie turns a rally around behind a big forehand, and forces Ruud into the miss as he looked for the passing shot up the line!

Set point: Norrie finds the serve and wide and then jumps into the leaping backhand crosscourt to wrap up the set!

*Cameron Norrie 5-4 Casper Ruud

Ruud holds to 15 as Norrie’s return flies long, as the Norwegian asks the question. Can Norrie close it out?

Cameron Norrie 5-3 Casper Ruud*

Ruud is racing through his service games now but after facing break points in his previous hold, Norrie has no problems this time as he finds some of his best serving of the match. He moves a game away from the opening set.

Cameron Norrie 4-2 Casper Ruud*

Norrie suddenly faces some pressure as Ruud steadies his game to attack the Norrie serve, bringing up two break points. Norrie saves both impressively, the second behind the ace, but Ruud then races to a Norrie volley to make the forehand pass.

Third break point: but Norries survives the point of the match so far but making a key adjustment at the net to put away the volley! Entertaining exchanges these, with both Norrie and Ruud able to cover the court.

Ace from Norrie! And an excellent serve and volley clinches the hold. Well played.

Cameron Norrie 3-1 Casper Ruud*

Norrie consolidates the break from 0-15 after Ruud tried to take on Norrie at his own game with an approach to the net. But Norrie is playing pretty aggressively early doors and serves it out well.

*Cameron Norrie 2-1 Casper Ruud – Norrie breaks!

After putting away a lovely volley at the net, Ruud makes a double fault and the British No 1 gets a look at 0-30. Norrie rushes Ruud again to move into the net and the Norwegian’s backhand goes long.

Two break points: Norrie only needs one, good depth to the baseline forces the backhand error from Ruud and Norrie gets the early break. Encouraging start for Norrie.

*Cameron Norrie 0-1 Casper Ruud

Ruud will serve first in this third-round match .Physicality will be key today with both players having come through a five-set match in the previous round.

Ruud gets a comfortable opening hold with an ace up the middle. Norrie looks to be playing aggressively but sent a backhand long as he looked down the line.