Wimbledon 2026: Cam Norrie loses five-set thriller to qualifier Michael Zheng
• 2 minute read
British No.1 Cam Norrie was knocked out by American qualifier Michael Zheng in a five-set epic on a tough opening day for the Brits at Wimbledon.
Norrie led by a set twice, winning two tie-breaks, before eventually losing against the world No.144 6-7(7), 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-3, 7-6(10-4) in just over four hours.
Former junior Wimbledon finalist Zheng was in impressive form on No.2 Court, finishing the match with 21 aces and 74 winners to claim victory on his main draw debut.
The American only suffered just one break of serve in what proved a frustrating match for Norrie.
Last year’s quarter-finalist, Norrie, joins fellow Brits Felix Gill and Max Basing with early defeats at SW19 so far this year.
It’s the first time Norrie has lost a five-set match at Wimbledon, having won his previous three.
Norrie was also the second Brit to lose out in a deciding set, after Harriet Dart narrowly missed out against former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko.
After an inspired display to win the match tie-break, Zheng was all smiles as he spoke to the crowd following a milestone win.
Both Norrie and Zheng were finding their feet through the opening two sets, but the match ignited in a high-quality third set and continued to build towards a dramatic conclusion.
The British No.1 missed the chance to serve for the first set at 5-4, and needed three set points in the tie-break before eventually getting over the line with a series of crushing forehands into the American’s backhand.
However, Zheng stepped up in the second set – dropping just three points behind his first set and saving three break points to level at one apiece.
As the match went on, the quality of the exchanges got better and better – both players ripping the ball from the baseline.
Norrie let out a roar in celebration after coming through a tough hold at 4-4 in the third, before going on to win another tie-break, but Zheng’s quality groundstrokes, particularly his forehand, had the Brit under pressure.
The American blasted through the fourth set in just 33 minutes, and Norrie had to be at his best to stay with him in the decider.
The British No.1 showed the steely grit and resilience he’s become renowned for over the years, saving three break points late in the fifth, including one net cord that trickled onto Zheng’s side of the net.
Norrie overturned a mini-break twice in the match tie-break, but the American kept his foot on the gas to claim a third with a big forehand down the line winner at 4-3.
Zheng found a new gear in the final few points of the match, delivering winner after winner to create five match points. The American broke down the Brit in one final long rally to seal his first career win at SW19.
Earlier in the day, British wild card Gill was beaten by 23rd seed Rafael Jodar 6-3, 6-3, 7-5, and qualifier Basing lost to Shintaro Mochizuki 6-3, 6-0, 6-0.
