Defending champion Cameron Norrie misplaced in straight units to Argentine qualifier Mariano Navone within the semi-finals of the ATP Rio Open.
Norrie, 28, was aiming to win back-to-back titles on the Brazilian clay courtroom event after defeating Carlos Alcaraz in final 12 months’s remaining.
However the British primary struggled in sizzling and humid circumstances in Rio.
The 22-year-old Navone, ranked 113th on the earth, gained 6-4 6-2 to achieve his first ATP remaining.
He’ll face compatriot Sebastien Baez after the world quantity 30 gained 7-5 6-4 towards one other Argentine, Francisco Cerundolo.
Each Navone and Norrie broke serve within the opening two video games earlier than Navone gained the decisive break within the seventh sport of the primary set.
They exchanged breaks once more at first of the second set, and Navone broke Norrie as soon as extra within the third and fifth video games earlier than closing out the win.
“It is unimaginable,” stated Navone. “I performed so good all week. At present was extremely popular and humid, it is robust to play in these circumstances, however I’ve performed six matches in a row so I really feel fairly good.”
This was Norrie’s second event since reaching the final 16 of the Australian Open, having fallen on the first hurdle towards world quantity 106 Federico Coria in Buenos Aires.
