Cameron Norrie’s Rio Open title defence is over with the British No 1 knocked out in the semi-finals by qualifier Mariano Navone after struggling with the Brazilian heat.
Second seed Norrie, aiming to become the first man to win this tournament twice, lost 6-4 6-2 to his Argentine opponent, who will now face compatriot Sebastian Baez in Sunday’s final.
Norrie defeated Carlos Alcaraz to win the Rio Open 12 months ago but has not reached a final since and was comfortably seen off by Navone, the world No 113, on Saturday.
The 28-year-old lost his opening service game and although he broke back immediately, Navone picked up a second break to move 4-3 up and went on to take the first set after Norrie saved three breaks points at 5-3 down.
Norrie and Navone traded further breaks at the start of the second set before another slog of a battle in the third game, which saw Norrie save four points on his serve before eventually succumbing.
After falling 5-2 down, Norrie received treatment from the physio but got back on his feet to see the game out even though his fate was already sealed.
Navone’s win, his first over a top-50 player, made him the first qualifier to reach an ATP 500 final since Jiri Vesely in Dubai in 2022.
Earlier on, Baez beat compatriot Francisco Cerundolo 7-5 6-0.
At the Qatar Open, meanwhile, Karen Khachanov defeated 18-year-old Jakub Mensik in straight sets to claim his sixth ATP Tour title, winning 7-6 (14-12) 6-4.
Mensik, ranked 116th in the world, beat Andy Murray and world No 5 Alexander Zverev en route to becoming the first teenager to reach the Qatar Open final
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