Despite a rain-disrupted start, Tiafoe was unfazed and focused on the task. “It’s great, but it’s the semis,” said Tiafoe. “The job’s not done.”
Tiafoe’s next challenge will be against either sixth-ranked Daniil Medvedev or World Number 28 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina for a place in the final. Medvedev, coming off three straight ATP titles, beat Alexander Zverev in the fourth round on Tuesday, despite badly rolling his right ankle in the second set.
In the match against Cameron Norrie, Tiafoe had broken him twice in the second set to serve for the game at 5-2. Though he has broken himself, Tiafoe made no mistake in his next opportunity. His biggest serve of the match put him up 40-0 as he closed out the game in style.
Tiafoe said he was delighted with his performance and felt like he was one of the best players in the world when he was mentally focused. He also expressed his satisfaction in beating a formidable opponent like Norrie in straight sets, despite some tricky moments toward the end of the match. Overall, he was pleased with where his game was at.
Norrie, who won his biggest title at Indian Wells in 2021, saw his eight-match win streak come to an end, which included a victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the Rio de Janeiro final last month.