Physically diminished, the Frenchman Constant Lestienne gave up in four sets on Wednesday in the second round of the Australian Open against Briton Cameron Norrie (6-3, 3-6, 7-6, 6-3).
Constant Lestienne risks pondering the end of the third set for a long time against Cameron Norrie. After two perfectly divided sets (6-3, 3-6), the Frenchman had then visibly taken over the Briton, feverish in the exchange and unusually annoyed. In this third act, Lestienne indeed led 4-1, 0-30, then 5-2, 0-30, before letting his chance pass when he served at 5-3. Moment that his opponent chooses to tighten the bolts. The tie-break that followed highlighted the difference between a player who served very well (two aces for Norrie) and one who made too many errors (three fouls in nine points for Lestienne).
The 55th in the world still held on until the eighth game of the fourth set. He thus saved a break point at 2-1, then three others at 3-2. But an incredible defensive point from the Briton forced him to miss a forehand volley at 4-3. Break in the pocket, Norrie concludes at 5-3 on a backhand passing. The Melbourne clock read 1:28 a.m.
Cameron Norrie, seeded No. 11, will face Jiri Lehecka (78th in the world), who defeated Chris Eubanks in four sets, in the third round.
read also: Australian Open Men’s Singles Draw
