British number one Norrie loses in Italian Open

Cameron Norrie reached the last-16 stage of the Madrid Open last month, losing to eventual champion Jannik Sinner [Getty Images]

British number one Cameron Norrie exited the Italian Open in the second round with a straight-set defeat by Argentina's Thiago Agustin Tirante.

The 17th seed lost 6-3 7-5 to Tirante, who is ranked at a career-best 69th in the world.

Norrie, the world number 19, was playing his opening match after a first-round bye. He was immediately at a disadvantage, losing his first service game as he swiftly trailed 3-0 in the first set, which the unseeded Tirante served out in 34 minutes.

The second set was a tighter affair, with both players holding serve until Tirante broke for 6-5, and the 25-year-old then delivered a match-clinching service game to love.

The exit of Norrie, 30, ends British involvement in the singles in Rome, after Katie Boulter lost to Germany's Eva Lys in the first round of the women's draw on Wednesday.

Jack Draper, Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal are among the British players who are absent from the tournament this year with various injury and illness issues.

Tirante, who is presently Argentina's seventh highest ranked men's player, will face either Italy's 10th seed Flavio Cobolli or France's Terence Atmane in the third round.

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