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Norrie could play Rafael Nadal in the second round of the Swedish Open

In a tightly contested first set on clay where neither player managed to create a break point, Cameron Norrie edged out Jozef Kovalik in a tiebreak.

Norrie secured a 5-3 lead in the tiebreak by expertly directing a shot down the line off a Kovalik drop shot. He then won his next two service points to clinch the tiebreak and the first set.

In the second set, Norrie had opportunities to break Kovalik’s serve, going up 40-15 in the second and sixth games. However, Kovalik held firm, saving all four break points.

The turning point came when Kovalik was serving to stay in the match at 4-5. Norrie increased the pressure and, after going 40-0 up, converted his second match point to seal the victory in one hour and 35 minutes.

"It was quite difficult. I was pretty nervous at the beginning, having not played much on clay since coming straight from Wimbledon," Norrie admitted. "It was not easy, but I thought I managed my serve and competed really well. I served unbelievably well in the tiebreak, which helped get me through it. I played one of the best games of the match at the end."

Norrie’s next challenge will be against Rafael Nadal in the second round, provided the Spanish legend overcomes Sweden's Leo Borg.