Cameron Norrie out of Indian Wells after Frances Tiafoe beats British No. 1 in straight sets to reach semis

Frances Tiafoe was the first player to book a place in the semi-finals of Indian Wells after he beat Cameron Norrie 6-4 6-4.

It’s the first time Tiafoe has reached the last four of a Masters event as he continues to grow into one of the game’s elite players.

The American will play Daniil Medvedev or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Friday.

“Today my serving was pretty up and down because it was windy,” said Tiafoe after the match.

“When I’m at my best I’m coming forward, being aggressive with my forehand and playing quick. At 3-3 I settled in and wanted to really do my game plan after I came out pretty slow.

“But I got there in the end and am looking forward to the semi-finals.”

Norrie started well before rain played havoc in the second game as play was suspended twice, but Tiafoe held serve.

The next four games were shared too, although Norrie was getting through his service games more easily.

However, Tiafoe began to find a rhythm with his forehand and broke Norrie in the seventh game, which proved to be the decisive moment of the set as the American went on to take it.

Tiafoe immediately broke Norrie at the start of the second set, only for the British No. 1 to break back as the match became scrappy.

As Norrie struggled, Tiafoe stepped up his intensity and was striking the ball beautifully as he broke his opponent to go 3-2 up.

A long seventh game saw Norrie save four break points, but a poor backhand slice handed Tiafoe the double break.

Norrie got one break back but two games later, Tiafoe served out the match and was into the semi-finals of an event for the first time in 2023.

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