World number 31 Cameron Norrie secured what he calls “the biggest win of my career” against World number 1 Carlos Alcaraz as he advances to the Paris Masters last 16.
Alcaraz won the first set, but things switched up when Norrie came back strong in the second set, where he maintained his momentum to set up a decider.
The 30-year-old continued to perform exceptionally well, giving Alcaraz a tough time until the final set, where he saved two break points as he won by 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Addressing the media in the post-match interview, Norrie said, “I actually went for a walk this morning with my coach, and we talked through serving for the match and what I needed to tell myself.”
“I was so, so tight serving for the match yesterday against Baez.
“I told myself I deserved to be in this moment, I want to be here, and I felt quite relaxed.
“It was a nice walk, a very important walk.”
Norrie will have to wait for the outcome of the second-round match between cousins Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech to know who his next opponent will be.
On the other hand, 22-year-old Alcaraz might lose his number 1 world ranking to his rival Jannik Sinner if Sinner thrashes Zizou Bergs.
Alcaraz had a few words to say at the post-match interview after his defeat. “I’m really disappointed about my level.
“I had all the ideas clear, all the goals clear but even in the first set which I won, I felt I could do a lot more than I actually did.
“I have to give credit to Cam. He played really well, a solid match, and I think that was the key.”
Alcaraz has been struggling with an ankle injury that he sustained in September at the Japan Open, which forced him to withdraw from the Shanghai Masters tournament.
Seems like the Spanish tennis star still needs some time to get back to his best game of play by fully recovering and not taking any chances.
