The American Frances Tiafoe, 16th in the world, qualified in express mode for the semi-finals of the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells, beating 6-4, 6-4, the Briton Cameron Norrie (12th) winner of the test in 2021, Wednesday in California.
The 25-year-old American reached the last four of a tournament in this category for the first time, just below the Grand Slams.
Winner of a single tournament on the ATP circuit, in Delray Beach in 2018, he will face Russian Daniil Medvedev (6th) or Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich (28th) on Friday, opposed later in the day in the United States.
“I’m really happy. I feel like when I’m mentally well, I’m one of the best players in the world. Today it’s not just about reaching the semi-finals, I I’m happy to beat a guy like him in this way, who has been playing so well lately,” commented Tiafoe.
It is indeed with authority and without fault, that he stopped Norrie, one of the players in form of the moment. The Briton had just won in Rio De Janeiro by taking the best in the final over the Spanish prodigy Carlos Alcaraz (2nd).
Dominant in the exchanges, the American discouraged his opponent’s inclinations to the net with passing passes and constant pressure, while brilliant himself on the fly (12/15 successful).
His alone slowed down slightly, when the 27-year-old Briton broke in the second set to come back to 5-4. But Tiafoe still had a serve in advance and he did not shake to conclude in 1h39.
“At the end it was a bit difficult, but it was one-sided and I’m really happy with my level of play. I’m tricky, I move well and I don’t give away too many free points. I progressed enormously as a player and it shows,” he added.
The American, who had never yet passed the 3rd round in the Californian desert, is currently performing a perfect course since he has not lost a set in four matches.
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