Facing Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori in his opener, the 28-year-old narrowly lost the first set which went to a tie-break before falling again in the second for an overall 7-6 (9) 6-3 defeat. Following a first-round exit at the Queen’s Club last week against big-serving Milos Raonic, Norrie was looking to bounce back on the south coast. But, against another strong opponent, a tough first-round tie proved too much for the world No.
44. Norrie, whose father hails from Glasgow, failed to capitalise on two break points in the sixth game of the opening set and was subsequently unable to seize a pair of set points in the tie-break. Last week, he was confirmed for the Wimbledon main draw alongside Jack Draper, who defeated Carlos Alcaraz at the LTA’s cinch Championships.
Norrie was knocked off the British No.1 spot by Draper, who had won his first ATP Tour event in Stuttgart the previous week. Cam Norrie loses out to Emil Ruusuvuori in Eastbourne #BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #RothesayInternational pic.
twitter.com/MkEAnemHlz After fashioning an Atalanta football shirt for morning practice, Liam Broady lost out to Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, 6-3 6-4. Broady was back on the grass court following a concussion which saw him miss the LTA’s Rothesay Open Nottingham earlier in the month.
The Eastbourne wild card also lost in doubles alongside Billy Harris to USA pair Austin Krajicek and Mackenzie McDonald in straight sets. Elsewhere, in the women’s singles, Emma Raducanu lauded her patien.