- Frances Tiafoe defeated British number one Cameron Norrie in straight sets to reach the semi-finals of the Indian Wells
- Tiafoe will face either number 28 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or sixth-ranked Daniil Medvedev for a place in the final
Frances Tiafoe defeated British number one Cameron Norrie in straight sets to reach the semi-finals of the Indian Wells.
It is the first time Tiafoe has gone past the quarter-finals of an event this year, having played three tournaments before the Indian Wells.
Frances Tiafoe. Photo/ Sportstar.
Tiafoe, who continues to grow into one of the game’s top players, defeated Norrie 6-4 6-4 to end his amazing run of wins. The American is yet to drop a set at this year’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, having scored straight set wins in his previous matches against Alejandro Tabilo, Jason Kubler and Marcos Giron.
Speaking after he defeated Cameron Norrie, Frances Tiafoe said that he is happy to beat a guy who has been playing well.
“I am really happy. Today it is is not just about getting to the semifinals. I am happy to beat a guy, who has been playing so well. To be able to come out here and beat him in straight sets, is relatively comfortable. I am able to take the racquet out of players hands. I am crafty. I can move. I stay in the points and don’t give away too many free points. I have grown as a player tremendously and it is showing.” Ubitennis quotes Frances Tiafoe.
Tiafoe will face either number 28 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or sixth-ranked Daniil Medvedev for a place in the final. Medvedev is coming off three straight ATP titles at Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai. He defeated Alexander Zverev in the fourth round of the Indian Wells when they met on Tuesday.
How The Game Unfolded
The opening stages of the match were interrupted by drizzle in the desert, but that did not stop Norrie from starting well.
Play was suspended twice but Tiafoe held serve. The next four games were shared too, although Norrie looked to be getting through his service games more easily.
Cameron Norrie. Photo/ The Desert Sun.
Tiafoe would then begin finding a rhythm with his forehand, breaking Norrie in the seventh game. And that proved to be the deciding moment of the set as Tiafoe won it. The tussle continued in the second set but it was the American who emerged victorious to book a semi-final spot.
Cameron Norrie saw his eight-match win streak come to an end in the hands of Frances Tiafoe. The run included victories over some of the biggest names such as Carlos Alcaraz, who he defeated in the Rio de Janeiro final last month.
“I’m disappointed. It was a big opportunity for me looking at the names left in the draw. I felt I had a really good chance to win another Indian Wells but on the day today Frances was better than me, and that’s the sport.” Cameron Norrie said after losing to Frances Tiafoe.
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