Defending champion Cameron Norrie crashed out of the ATP Rio Open clay courtroom event on Saturday, slumping to a straight units semi-final defeat in opposition to Argentinian qualifier Mariano Navone.
British No.1 Norrie — aiming to win back-to-back titles in Rio after defeating Carlos Alcaraz in final 12 months’s remaining — struggled in sizzling and humid circumstances earlier than sliding to a 6-4, 6-2 defeat.
The 22-year-old Navone, presently ranked 113th on the earth, was handed three match factors when Norrie smacked a forehand lengthy within the eighth recreation of the second set.
One other miscued return by the second-seeded British world quantity 23 sealed victory for the Argentine teenager, who advances to the primary ATP remaining of his profession, the place he’ll face compatriot Sebastien Baez.
“It is unimaginable, my first remaining,” Navone mentioned after the win. “I performed so good all week. At this time was very popular and humid, it is powerful to play in these circumstances.
“However I’ve performed six matches in a row so I really feel fairly good.”
Navone’s victory arrange an all-Argentina conflict in Sunday’s remaining on the Quadra Guga Kuerten showcourt after Sebastian Baez defeated compatriot Francisco Cerundolo in Saturday’s different semi-final.
Baez saved three set factors within the first set of his conflict with Cerundolo earlier than occurring to win 7-5, 6-0.
“We all know one another an excessive amount of, I feel, greater than I need,” Baez mentioned after his semi-final win. “All matches are completely different. At this time it will my aspect.
“Within the first set, I gave many break factors to him. I needed to take it as a result of it is so exhausting for each.”
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