Norrie Stuns Alcaraz to End World Number One’s Winning Streak at Paris Masters
In a remarkable upset, Britain’s Cameron Norrie defeated world number one Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the round of 32 at the Paris Masters, ending the Spaniard’s impressive 17-match winning streak at the ATP Masters 1000 level. The match, held at the Paris La Defense Arena, showcased Norrie’s resilience and determination, propelling him into the third round for the first time since 2023.
Alcaraz, fresh off his eighth title of the season from Tokyo, struggled to find his rhythm, committing a staggering 54 unforced errors throughout the match. Frustration was evident as he engaged in terse exchanges with his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, after dropping the second set. Despite winning the first set, Alcaraz couldn’t maintain his momentum, allowing Norrie to gain confidence as the match progressed.
Norrie’s performance in the final set was particularly impressive, as he saved two critical break points in the seventh game. After two hours and 22 minutes of intense play, he successfully held serve to clinch the match, marking a significant milestone in his career.
“Massive (victory), so big for me,” Norrie said after the match. “I’ve been coming back from my injury. Last year, I lost in the first round of qualifiers here. I just tried to enjoy my tennis in the second half of the year, and to get a win like this, the biggest of my career, my first over a world number one, especially against the most confident player in the world right now.”
This defeat for Alcaraz not only halted his dominant run at Masters 1000 events but also places his year-end number one ranking at risk, especially if Italy’s Jannik Sinner captures the title in Paris.
Norrie will next face either Valentin Vacherot or Arthur Rinderknech, who are set to play on Wednesday in a rematch of the Shanghai Masters final. The victory in Paris marks a high point for Norrie as he aims to build on this momentum in the coming rounds.
