(Tennis news) British number 1 Cameron Norrie’s eight match unbeaten streak finally came to an end after he was defeated in straight sets (6-4, 6-4) to American player Frances Tiafoe in the Indian Wells quarter-finals. Norrie won the Rio Open last month, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the final and has had an impressive 2023 season so far with a 21 (wins) – 4 (losses) record. The match was delayed by rain in the early stages as Tiafoe’s crosscourt winner broke Norrie to take a 4-3 lead in the opening set. With home fans on his side, Tiafoe began applying pressure on Norrie into making unforced errors by coming into the set. 

Tiafoe’s second set lead was reduced to one when he committed a double fault at 5-3 but he bounced back by serving out the match, unleashing a 139 mph ace. Speaking after the match, Tiafoe said “I truly feel like when I’m there mentally, I’m one of the best players in the world. Today it is not just about getting to the semis, I am happy to beat a guy like that, who has been playing so well. To be able to come out here and beat him in straight sets, relatively comfortable. At the end it got a little tricky, but it was pretty much one-way traffic and I am really happy with where my game is at.” 

Frances Tiafoe has not dropped a single set at the Indian Wells so far and reached the semi-finals of last year’s US Open before losing to Carlos Alcaraz. The American will now face Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in the next round.

Also read: Iga Swiatek defeats Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-1 at Indian Wells