Britain’s Cameron Norrie has been knocked out of the Barcelona Open with a straight-sets quarter-final defeat by Rafael Jodar.
Jodar wrapped up a 6-3 6-2 victory over seventh seed Norrie in 69 minutes with an impressive display on clay at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona.
The 19-year-old Spaniard, who was ranked outside the world’s Top 600 just 12 months ago, traded breaks with Norrie in the opening five games before he seized control of the first set.
Norrie managed to hold his serve on the first two games of the second set but at 2-2 Jodar seemed to find an extra gear against the British number one.
“Cameron is always a tough opponent. I think I handled the important moments and the pressure moments in the match very well,” said Jodar.
“I am very happy with my performance today, but I know I have to keep going. I have to keep pushing. There are still more matches to come.”
The teenager’s victory was his third over a top-30 player following wins over Norrie at the Mexican Open in February and American Learner Tien in the Next Gen ATP Finals.
Elsewhere, Katie Boulter’s first tour-level quarter-final on clay ended in a straight-sets loss to Veronika Podrez at the Open de Rouen.
The British number three was beaten 6-4 6-1 by the 19-year-old Ukrainian, who is ranked 209th in the world.
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