Sandgren beats Norrie to win ATP final

British number two Cameron Norrie was beaten in his first ATP final, losing 6-4 6-2 to Tennys Sandgren at the Auckland International in New Zealand.

Sandgren, the world number 63, took one hour and 18 minutes to see off his opponent, who is ranked 30 places below him, converting his second championship point when Norrie went long with a forehand off his second serve.

He was broken in his first game and made 29 unforced errors in the match.

American Sandgren is ranked 30 places higher than Norrie and eased to victory in 79 minutes for his first ATP title.

"He played a lot more solid and he didn't really give me a chance to play well at all," said Norrie.

"Throughout the tournament, everything has just clicked. I've served and returned well. Today, there were a couple of areas and certain moments that I wasn't quite there."

Norrie will now move on to the Australian Open, which starts on Monday, where he will play American Taylor Fritz, whom he beat in the quarter-finals in Auckland.

“I’m a little bit lost for words. It’s been a lot of work, a lot of training,” said Sandgren, who appeared for his on-court interview in a Johnny Cash T-shirt sporting the legend “American Rebel”.

“A lot of sacrifice goes into even making a final,” he added. “To get a win, I’m kind of speechless.

“I’m just grateful, just grateful to be out here to play and compete. Just to be healthy and out here playing is good. Just excited and happy to be playing well.”