FEARLESS NORRIE SHOCKS ALCARAZ

Briton 'not afraid to win' against top-ranked Spaniard, who struggled with feel of the ball

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World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz said he had “no feeling at all” for the ball after he was beaten 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in his opening match at the Paris Masters on Oct 28 by 31st-ranked Briton Cameron Norrie.

The six-time Grand Slam champion has failed to win the Paris Masters in five attempts and now faces losing his place atop the rankings should rival Jannik Sinner win the tournament.

Before Alcaraz’s shock exit, the Italian had said: “It’s impossible (to finish the year at No. 1). Honestly, I'm not thinking about this at the moment. It’s going to be a goal for next year.”

After three weeks out of official competition due to an ankle injury which forced him to skip the Shanghai Masters, Alcaraz said he had come into the event in Paris in fine fettle.

“I had a lot of practices here, which I was feeling great, feeling amazing, moving on the court, hitting the ball,” the 22-year-old said.