Norrie came into the Championships at the All England Club knowing all the scrutiny was on compatriot Draper, seeded fourth.
That could be a contributing factor as to why Norrie said he is enjoying his tennis “more than ever” with less of the pressure that comes with being British number one.
That, and the chance to play free-flowing tennis after a turbulent period – he was ranked as low as 91 in April, having been inside the world’s top 10 three years ago.
With Draper out, the crowd on Court One were suitably fired up to support the last remaining home player in the men’s draw, although they did not have much to shout about in the opening exchanges as Bellucci immediately broke to love.
Norrie almost secured an instant break back but an enthusiastic Bellucci put up staunch resistance to consolidate his advantage.
When the break back did eventually come in the eighth game, the crowd were only too willing to join in with Norrie’s celebrations before rising to their feet again after a stunning backhand winner helped him seal a tightly contested tie-break.
The gusto that had carried Bellucci through the first set faded in the second as the error count began to creep up and Norrie took full advantage.
The pair exchanged breaks in the second set but, when Norrie moved ahead in the seventh game, Bellucci could find no response and the Briton took the set with his second opportunity.
Norrie again found the early break in the third set with a stunning forehand winner down the line before pushing further ahead with a glorious drop shot to take the double break.
Bellucci rediscovered some momentum to deny Norrie’s first attempt to serve out the set but the Briton saw his opportunity in the next game and sealed the win before being serenaded by the Court One crowd.