Cameron Norrie’s promising run at the Los Cabos Open in Mexico ended with a three-set semi-final defeat by defending champion Denis Shapovalov.
Norrie had returned to some form by reaching the last four – having previously lost six matches in a row – but was beaten 6-3 5-7 6-4 by his fellow left-hander.
The British number two, who won the Los Cabos title in 2021, was broken in his first service game of the match to fall 2-0 down and, despite chances to break back, failed to do so on the way to losing the opening set.
Norrie made a disappointing start to the second set when he struck a couple of stray forehands in the first game before his Canadian opponent broke to love with a stunning forehand return.
Norrie immediately levelled and then carved out two set points on Shapovalov’s serve at 6-5 up – taking the second when a forehand volley caught the line.
The third set started disappointingly for Norrie as he was broken in what proved to be a crucial first game.
Shapovalov held his serve throughout the set and completed victory in two hours 39 minutes.
He will play France’s Arthur Gea in the final after he beat Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 in the other semi-final.