Rafael Nadal upset by Cameron Norrie in United Cup win as Great Britain take 2-0 lead over Spain

Cameron Norrie says beating Rafael Nadal 3-6 6-3 6-4 at the United Cup in Sydney is a “great way to end the year”.

Having never won a set in his four previous meetings against the 22-time major champion, Norrie turned on the style in front of a capacity Ken Rosewall Arena crowd to give Great Britain victory in their first match in the tie against Spain.

Katie Swan then beat Nuria Parrizas-Diaz 3-6 6-1 6-2 to put Britain 2-0 ahead going into Sunday, meaning they are one victory away from securing a place in the play-offs at the inaugural mixed international team competition, which is being held in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney.

“It was pretty crazy,” Norrie said after beating Nadal.

“I was thinking I’d never won a set before [against Nadal] and I came out firstly wanting to do that.

“I had to stay super-patient. It was a super-physical match and I enjoyed it. It was huge to get through that one and finally beat him.

“He bet me easily the last few times, so it’s a great way to end the year for me. It was a crazy atmosphere, thank you guys. It was a crazy match.”

Nadal, who was playing his first game of the new season, had Norrie’s number in the opening set, firing a series of excellent passing shots, but he was unable to maintain this high level of tennis.

Norrie upped the intensity and claimed a crucial break in the sixth game of the second set before breaking his opponent again in the third and saving two break points of his own. He held his nerve to secure a memorable win.

The results mean Britain need to win just one of their three matches on Sunday against Spain to book a spot in the play-offs of the tournament.

Harriet Dart faces Paula Badosa, before Dan Evans takes on Pablo Carreno Busta. There will be a final doubles match with Evans and Dart versus Nadal and Badosa.

Britain’s victory against Australia earlier this week and a win against Spain will put them top of the group and into the play-offs.

Elsewhere, Iga Swiatek won her first game of the season with a comfortable 6-1 6-3 victory over Yulia Putintseva as Poland are level at 1-1 with Kazakhstan.

Alexander Zverev lost in straight sets to Jiri Lehecka which has put Germany 2-0 down against the Czech Republic.

The brand-new tournament is the curtain-raising event for the 2023 season, taking place from December 29 to January 8 across Australia.

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