Cameron Norrie is through the final 16 at the Rolex Paris Masters after recording a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win in a two-hour, 22-minute stunner on Tuesday night, halting world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz as early as in the second round.
In his on-court interview, the former Indian Wells champion said, “I have been coming back from my injury. I have just tried to enjoy my tennis in the second half of the year, and I was able to do that and to get a win like this, the biggest of my career, my first over a World No. 1, and especially against the most confident player in the world right now, with Sinner combined. I am just so pleased with the way I did it.”
The 30-year-old ended the Spaniard’s 17-match winning streak at the Masters 1000 level, who, short of his best tennis, produced an erratic showing throughout, committing a staggering 54 unforced errors against 33 winners overall.
Competing for the first time on tour since toppling Taylor Fritz in the Japan Open final, nearly a month ago, the Murcia native converted a crucial break in the fifth game of the first set as the world No. 31 double-faulted.
Lengthy baseline rallies set the tone of a physical opener that Alcaraz ultimately took 6-4 in 51 minutes, fending off all two break points he faced.
Nonetheless, first impressions would prove deceiving on debut at Paris La Defense Arena.
The former world No. 8 regrouped fast into the second set, kicking up a level to break serve in the fourth game, and held his nerve, rallying to extend his lead to 4-1, saving two break points in the process.
Frustrated, the top seed struggled off the back with 19 unforced errors, most on the forehand. With timing notably lacking, the No. 1 Spanish player lost focus and confidence, unable to find a way through the spirited left-handed player.
Meanwhile, Norrie seized his chances to come back from a set down in style, making the most of his tennis IQ, forcing a decider.
Alcaraz argued with his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, during the changeover; his focus shifted when he hit back to the court, attempting a recovery that he was never able to complete.
A dramatic third set got underway with the 22-year-old far from his best, and yet he managed to neutralize three break points, holding at 3-2.
However, the 5-time ATP winner kept adding pressure, setting even the scoreline before ripping a backhand pass to break in the seventh game.
Building upon momentum, he fought off a late challenge by the six-time major champion, saving break points to stay the course 5-3, one game away from a milestone victory.
Norrie did not put a foot wrong when serving out for the match 6-4, equalling his best result at the tournament thus far in his career.
All in all, the two-time US Open champion failed to shake off a rusty, less-than-convincing display against the in-form Brit, who made his opponent work hard, firing 18 winners to just 25 unforced errors, winning 79 percent of the points on his first serve.
Next, he will face off against either Shanghai Masters champion Valentin Vacherot or world No. 29 Arthur Rinderknech, playing a rematch of their historic all-cousin final on French soil.
After suffering an unexpected early exit, Alcaraz addressed his performance, outlining, “I had a lot of practice here; I was feeling great, feeling amazing, moving on the court, hitting the ball. I had all the ideas clear, all the goals clear. But today, even in the first set that I won, I just felt like I could do much more than what I did.
“I tried in the second set just to be better, but it was totally the opposite. I just felt even worse. I have to give credit to Cam, because I think he didn’t let me stay or come back into the match.”
Ahead for the 24-time ATP titlist is the Nitto ATP Finals with the year-end No. 1 on the line.