(Tennis news) British number 1 Cameron Norrie failed to defend his Indian Wells title after losing to Carlos Alcaraz 6-4 6-3 in the quarter finals. Despite strong starts in both the sets against the Spaniard, Alcaraz fought back both times to win in straight sets. Norrie managed 28 winners compared to Alcaraz’s 38 and converted 49% of his break-points compared to Alcaraz’s 68%. The result also means that Alcaraz became the second youngest semi-finalist in the history of the competition, the youngest being Andre Agassi who was 17 years old in 1988.

Speaking after the match, the teenager said “I'm enjoying every single second. I have no words to describe my feelings right now. I remember that I played really, really nervous," Alcaraz said about the last time he played Nadal. "I think this time I trained with him a couple of times, I know more how to play against him. I think now it's going to be a little bit different this match." 

In other results, Rafael Nadal defeated Nick Kyrgios 7-6 (7-0) 5-7 6-4 and is now set to face Carlos Alcaraz in the semi finals. Trailing by a break in the opening set, Nadal went behind in the last set as well before overcoming Kyrgios who was playing in his first ATP Tour quarter finals in 2019. The Australian was so frustrated that he smashed his racket on the court after the post-match handshake. 

The result means that Nadal has moved 19 games unbeaten and said after the match “It's difficult to play against him, always tough because he changes the dynamic of the point very quick and his serve is huge, especially the first serve. I think I played a good third set. Returning better. I was solid with the serve; I just suffered in one game with my serve. Nick is one of these kinds of players that you're going to have problems with when he's motivated."

Also read: Rafael Nadal overcomes Opelka to reach Indian Wells quarter-finals