Cameron Norrie took advantage of the early retirement of American Sebastian Korda due to physical problems and advanced to the next stage of the US Open.
Signs of Korda's back injury were already evident in the opening games. After losing the second set 7-5, 6-4, the athlete decided to stop the fight, which allowed Norrie to continue his journey in the tournament in Flushing Meadows for the sixth time.
The Briton, ranked second in the country, missed the previous tournament with a hand injury and is looking to regain form after reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.
The world No.35 arrived in New York on the back of a three-game losing streak but made a strong start to a tense encounter on a packed Court 17.
When Korda saved three break points at 4-4, Norrie converted the decisive chance two games later, reacting emotionally with a look towards his support.
Having secured his victory in the first set, the Briton immediately took a break at the start of the second, forcing his opponent to call a medical time-out to have his back examined.
The 25-year-old American is one of the most promising representatives of the younger generation, but frequent injuries have slowed his development: Korda returned to the tour only after a three-month break due to problems with his shin.
Unsurprisingly, another physical setback left him hanging his head. After Norrie held on to the lead in the second set, Korda opted to call it quits.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
