Cameron Norrie missed out on a meeting with world number one Novak Djokovic as he bowed out in straight sets to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the second round of the Italian Open.
The 25-year-old, who has enjoyed a fine season so far with 19 wins under his belt, went down 6-2 6-3 to a player ranked one place ahead of him at 48 in the world.
Norrie was a little late arriving on Court Four in Rome and took a while to settle, allowing Davidovich Fokina to break him to 15 in his first service game.
Cam Norrie falls to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
The British No.2⃣ loses 6-2, 6-3 in Rome#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/17mUYWQLih
— LTA (@the_LTA) May 12, 2021
Norrie did hit back but the Spaniard broke again for 4-2 and a double-fault brought a sorry end to the opening set for the British number two.
Davidovich Fokina double-faulted to give Norrie a break point in the third game of the second set, but then cheekily saved it with an underarm serve.
Norrie stayed with his opponent until 3-4 when a forehand clipped the net and floated wide to give the initiative to Davidovich Fokina.
The 21-year-old served out to wrap up victory in an hour and 13 minutes and set up a third-round clash with Djokovic.
