World number one Alcaraz was stunned at the start of the Paris Masters by Britain’s Norrie

PARIS: World number one Carlos Alcaraz stunned in his opening match at the Paris Masters on Tuesday as he fell to Britain’s 31st-ranked Cameron Norrie 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The six-time Grand Slam champion has never won the Paris Masters in five attempts and now faces losing his top spot if rival Jannik Sinner wins the tournament in the French capital.

Returning from three weeks out due to an ankle problem, Alcaraz claimed the opening set as he showed his usual combination of fire and flair.

However, much like his ultimately successful run at the French Open this spring, the Spaniard’s form dropped sharply midway through the match.

This time, he was forced to pay.

“I’m really disappointed about my level today,” Alcaraz told reporters after the loss.

“I had all the ideas clear, all the goals clear, but today, even in the first set, which I won, I felt that I could do a lot more than I actually did.

“I have to give credit to Cam… He played really well today, a good match, and I think that was the key.”

The mercurial Norrie, who earned his share of adulation from the 17,500-capacity main court at La Defense Arena, capitalized on his opponent’s mistakes by breaking him twice at crucial moments in the second and third sets.

The 30-year-old said the win was “probably the number one” of his career.

“I’ve worked really hard this year so it’s nice to get a win like this to make it worth it,” added the former world number eight.

In the run-up to the decision, Alcaraz had an animated discussion with his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero.

However, it was to no avail as the El Palmar native continued to be awkward on his first serve and backhand.

Alcaraz saved break points in successive games before it was third time lucky for Norrie as the Brit eventually broke for 3-3 to close in on victory.

Alcaraz made him serve, and an early match point went begging as a groundstroke from Norry hit the net twice before falling agonizingly to the side of the net.

But the Briton went on to seal victory at the second time of asking and claim a third career victory over the 22-year-old.