Indian Wells 2022 - Cameron Norrie title defence ends after quarter-final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz

Updated 18/03/2022 at 09:06 GMT

Spanish prodigy Carlos Alcaraz set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash against compatriot Rafael Nadal after defeating reigning champion Cameron Norrie at Indian Wells. Alcaraz becomes the second youngest semi-finalist in the history of ATP Masters 1000 events and faces his “idol” in the last four in Nadal. Nadal, on a 19-match winning streak in 2022, beat Nick Kyrgios to make the semis.

Highlights: Alcaraz ousts defending champion Norrie at Indian Wells

Cameron Norrie's hopes of defending his Indian Wells title came to an end after a 6-4 6-3 quarter-final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.

Norrie took the biggest title of his career at the Masters event last year, propelling him to the cusp of the ATP top 10.

But the world No. 12 was no match for 18-year-old rising star Alcaraz, who became the second youngest semi-finalist in the history of the competition. The Spaniard will face compatriot Rafael Nadal in the last four.

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Norrie started well in both sets and was twice a break up in the first, but Alcaraz found a way back and hit 38 winners to Norrie's 24.

Alcaraz was also more clinical with his break points, converting 68% compared to Norrie's 49%.

The Spaniard admitted he had "no words" to describe the feeling of reaching his first Masters 1000 semi-final, but said he was relishing the chance to play against his "idol" Nadal in the semi-finals.

And Nadal, chasing a fourth BNP Paribas Open title after edging past Nick Kyrgios in the quarters, was full of praise for the young Alcaraz.

"I think he's unstoppable in terms of his career," he said.

"He has all the ingredients. He has the passion. He's humble enough to work hard. He reminds me a lot of things I did when I was a 17- or 18-year-old kid.

"I think he has the passion. He has the talent and the physical component that is great. And I am super happy, even if, of course he's going to be a great rival."

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