Britain’s Cameron Norrie has been knocked out of the National Bank Open following a 2-6 6-7 (8) defeat against Arthur Fils in Montreal.
The French 18th seed looked dominant early, utilising his powerful serve well to wrap up the first set without much hassle.
Norrie stepped up a gear in the second, matching Fils’ power to force a tiebreak.
Despite creating two set-point opportunities, Norrie was ultimately unable to convert when it mattered and Fils sealed the win in one hour and 43 minutes.
Fils will face Spain’s Rafael Jodar in the quarter-finals, after he upset eighth-seed Jiri Lehecka in straight sets.
“It’s Saturday night, we’ve got to enjoy the night,” said Fils as it neared midnight in Montreal.
“It was a very nice battle against Cam. He’s a huge competitor. It was a good first set for my side, and then the second was just back and forth.
“He started to raise his level and play his best at the end. I got a bit tight, start to play very slowly but happy to get out in two sets and let’s see against Rafa.”
Brandon Nakashima and Luciano Darderi also progressed to the next round with gruelling three-set victories over Arthur Rinderknech and Nuno Borges, respectively.
