Alcaraz halts Norrie title defense, sets up semifinal showdown with Nadal

Friday, 18 March 2022 at 04:30

The future is now! Spanish youngster Carlos Alcaraz added another scalp to his impressive collection as he dethroned defending champion Cameron Norrie at the BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells, to advance to the semifinals for the first time in his young career.

Alcaraz looked untouchable in his 6-4 6-3 win over the Brit, employing his speed and deceptive power to frustrate his opponent. Although both men exchanged a pair of breaks in the first set, it was the 18-year old who obtained the vital break to to clinch the first set.

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Spurred on by the boisterous crowd, the Spaniard was exceptional in the second set as he attacked Norrie's serve. The 2021 champion was particularly ineffective when hitting second serves, winning only 2 of 10 points. After another exchange of breaks, it was Alcaraz who took advantage of his opponent's lack of confidence to close out the match in an hour and 44 minutes.

The 19th seed will face his biggest test yet in the semifinals, as he battles compatriot Rafael Nadal in a all-Spanish affair. The 21-time Grand Slam champion has not lost a match in 2022, and will look to improve to 2-0 against his younger opponent after easily defeating him at last year's Madrid Masters.