Cameron Norrie reaches Rio Open semifinals with three-set win

RIO DE JANEIRO — Defending champion Cameron Norrie beat Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 on Friday to reach the semifinals of the Rio Open.

The Briton, second seed, will face Argentinian Mariano Navone on Saturday. Navone beat 17-year-old Brazilian sensation João Fonseca 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Norrie, 23rd, became the favorite to win the clay court tournament again after Carlos Alcaraz retired due to a right ankle injury and Stan Wawrinka and Nicolás Jarry lost.

The British player said he was excited to play against the crowd who saw him win the tournament last year in a hard-fought final against Alcaraz.

“It was a really fun match and the crowd definitely played a big part in it,” Norrie said. “These are the matches you want to play – in the evening, with the crowd cheering you on or supporting you.”

Two Argentine players won their quarterfinals earlier Friday and will compete for a place in the final of the clay-court tournament.

Fourth-seeded Francisco Cerundolo beat Serb Dusan Lajovic 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. His rival in the semifinals will be Sebastian Baez, who beat Brazilian Thiago Monteiro 6-4, 1-6, 6-2.