🔗 Share this article

Cameron Norrie achieved the biggest success of his professional journey by coming back from a set down to beat top-ranked player Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the early stage of the Paris Masters.

While he had earlier beaten Alcaraz on two occasions, this victory marks Norrie's initial win over a current world top-ranked player.

"Huge. So big for me," said Norrie, who joins as the newest UK male player in the record books to defeat a top-ranked player. "Bouncing back from a physical setback last year, I was defeated in the first round of qualifiers here. I just sought to enjoy my performance in the closing months of the year. To achieve a win like this, it's the greatest win of my professional life, my initial victory over the world No 1 and arguably the most confident player in the world right now."

Norrie, ranked 31st in the world, also ended Alcaraz's dominant run of nine finals in a row and 17 consecutive Masters 1000 victories, which was the top run of performances in the Spaniard's developing professional path.

Game Overview

The top seed looked to be moving confidently to success at the start as he eased through the initial stanza. Nevertheless, Norrie steadily fought his way back into the game by executing with improved accuracy and pulling the Spanish opponent into lengthy, physical exchanges. His relentless steadiness and reliability steadily made an impact.

Through most of the battle, Alcaraz delivered strong serves but he struggled badly to find his timing with his rally strokes. The rising talent looked notably uncomfortable executing his signature shot, which has been the most effective stroke in the game for a large part of this year, haemorrhaging 29 mistakes off the forehand side and a total of 54 mistakes. Opposing him, Norrie presented Alcaraz so few mistakes, keeping up his consistency, fitness and depth throughout while delivering effective serves and choosing his moments to force himself forward and attack well.

Decisive Moments

In the nail-biting closing stages, Norrie superbly kept his composure to overcome the world's finest in the game.

Personal Journey

Following struggling for an extended period due to a significant physical setback and challenges with his form, Norrie dropped as far down as 91st in the rankings this season. Following appearances in the quarter-finals at the grass-court major and the clay-court Grand Slam second week since then, this win highlights the 30-year-old's improvement as he attempts to come back to the elite rankings and even higher. The Spanish sensation, notwithstanding his extraordinary accomplishments, is yet to solve how to deliver his top form indoors.