Norrie’s title defence is ended by Alcaraz

REIGNING Indian Wells champion Cameron Norrie was knocked out of this year’s tournament in a 6-4, 6-3 loss to Carlos Alcaraz.

The British number one, pictured, had strong starts in both sets against the 18-year-old Spaniard, but Alcaraz managed to fight back both times to win in straight sets.

Norrie hit 24 winners to Alcaraz’s 38 and converted 49 per cent of his break points to Alcaraz’s 68 per cent.

In his post-match interview, Alcaraz said he had “no words to describe” his feelings as he moved on to his first semi-final in a Masters 1000 tournament. He will next face countryman Rafael Nadal, who beat Nick Kyrgios 7-6 (7-0), 5-7, 6-4.

Following the match, Kyrgios issued an apology after he nearly hit a ball boy with a racket hurled in anger. The volatile Australian received a warning for smashing a racket during the first set and then lost the set after being given a point penalty for swearing at a spectator.

Kyrgios regained his composure to take the second set but, after losing a close decider, the 26-year-old flung his racket angrily and a ball boy standing at the back of the court had to move out of the way to avoid being hit as it bounced up and flew into the advertising hoarding.

Kyrgios took exception to being asked about the incident in his press conference, saying: “Did I throw it anywhere near him originally?

“It landed a metre from my foot and skidded and nearly hit him. I’m human. Things happen like that.”

Kyrgios later took to Instagram to apologise and tweeted an exchange with the ball boy in which he promised to give him a racket.