Norrie shocks Alcaraz with early Paris upset

Cam Norrie slammed Carlos Alcaraz with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 opening loss at the Paris Masters on Tuesday, sending the world No. 1 packing from a new stadium in front of 17,000 fans.

The Briton admitted to nerves as he closed out the second-round shocker at the La Defense venue in just under two and a half hours.

The chrome-haired Alcaraz drove a return long over the baseline on Norrie’s second match point, ending an evening to forget with 54 unforced errors.

The Spaniard sowed his nerves in animated discussions with his team from the court as he went down to defeat.

Alcaraz had won his last 17 matches at the Masters 1000 level.

Norrie said a morning walking chat with his coach helped him to overcome the nerves which had plagued him 24 hours earlier as he opened his week over Sebastian Baez.

“This is massive, it’s so big for me,” Norrie said. “This is the biggest win of my career.

“I’m the most confident player in the world right now.”

Norrie struck with a break in the seventh game of the final set for a 4-3 lead and served out the stunner three games later.

“I’m so pleased with the way that I played. In the first set I missed out on a lot of chances but I just kept pushing him.

“I stayed tough and got the win.

Alcaraz, winner of eight titles this season, will hang onto his top ranking for now. But his early loss could open the door slightly for No. 2 rival jJannik Sinner to perhaps overtake.

Defeat was the fist for Alcaraz before a final this season since losing to David Goffin in thee Miami second round in March.