PARIS — British number two Cameron Norrie’s hopes of a deep run at the Rolex Paris Masters were extinguished in the second round on Wednesday, as he fell in straight sets to Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot, 6-3, 7-5.
The defeat marks a disappointing end to Norrie’s European indoor season and comes just days after his most significant victory of the year—a stunning upset over the recently-crowned Wimbledon champion and former world number one, Carlos Alcaraz, in Vienna.
Norrie, who has struggled for consistency throughout 2024, was unable to carry the momentum from that career-defining win to the Accor Arena. Against the powerful and disciplined Vacherot, the Briton appeared flat, struggling with his first-serve percentage and committing a slew of unforced errors at critical moments.
The loss underscores the volatile nature of Norrie’s season, where a monumental high was immediately followed by a perplexing low. The contrast in performance between his Vienna heroics and his Paris exit could not have been more stark.
A Clash of Momentum and Form
Valentin Vacherot, ranked 69th in the world and a former college standout for Texas A&M, entered the match with confidence, having come through the qualifying rounds and then defeating France’s Alexandre Müller in the first round. The 25-year-old Monegasque has been enjoying a breakout season on the ATP Tour.
Norrie, meanwhile, arrived in Paris with the tennis world still abuzz over his 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 6-4 victory over Carlos Alcaraz. That win was a testament to Norrie’s trademark resilience and counter-punching style, forcing the explosive Spaniard into errors over a grueling two-hour, 47-minute battle.
The question hanging over Norrie was whether he could back up such an emotionally and physically draining performance. In his post-match press conference in Paris, Norrie acknowledged the challenge, stating, "It’s always tough to come out after a big win like that and reset."
From the opening games, it was clear that reset was not happening. Vacherot, possessing a formidable serve and a potent forehand, immediately took control of the baseline. Norrie’s usually reliable groundstrokes lacked their customary depth and penetration, allowing Vacherot to step into the court and dictate play.
A Match Defined by Unforced Errors
The first set was a story of service breaks. Vacherot secured an early break to go up 3-1, but Norrie immediately broke back, offering a glimmer of hope. That hope was short-lived, as Vacherot broke Norrie’s serve once more to love in the very next game, re-establishing his control.
Norrie’s struggles were most evident in a few key statistical areas that proved decisive in the outcome of the match:
- First Serve In: A meager 54% for Norrie, compared to 71% for Vacherot.
- Break Points Converted: Norrie converted just 1 of 4 opportunities.
- Unforced Errors: Norrie committed 25, nearly double Vacherot's 13.
The second set was a tighter affair, with Norrie showing more fight. He managed to save two break points in a lengthy fourth game to hold serve and stay on level terms. However, just as it seemed the match might be heading for a tie-break, Norrie’s serve deserted him at the worst possible moment.
Serving at 5-6 to force the tie-break, Norrie produced a costly double fault to give Vacherot a match point. The Monegasque needed no second invitation, sealing the victory on his first opportunity with a clean forehand winner down the line.
Post-Match Reactions and Analysis
Speaking to the press after the match, a visibly frustrated Norrie did not mince words about his performance. "I just didn’t play the big points well at all today," he admitted. "I served a double fault on match point, which is very disappointing. Credit to him, he played solid and didn’t give me much, but I definitely didn’t bring my best level."
When asked about the potential emotional and physical hangover from the Alcaraz match, Norrie conceded it was a factor. "It’s not an excuse, but it does take a lot out of you. I felt a bit flat from the beginning and never really found my rhythm or my feet on the court. It’s a shame because this is a tournament I feel I can do well at."
For Vacherot, the victory represents the biggest win of his career by ranking. In his on-court interview, he was elated, saying, "It’s an amazing feeling. I knew I had to be aggressive and focus on my service games. I’m just so happy to get through and play another match here in Paris."
Looking Ahead for Norrie
The Paris Masters was Norrie’s final scheduled tournament of the regular ATP season. His up-and-down year, which has seen him claim a title in Lyon but also suffer early exits in several major tournaments, leaves his ranking at a precarious world number 38.
The victory over Alcaraz in Vienna was a powerful reminder of the player Norrie can be when his game is firing—a dogged competitor capable of disrupting the rhythm of the very best. However, the subsequent loss to Vacherot highlights the consistency issues that have plagued his 2024 campaign.
The focus for Norrie and his team will now shift to the off-season. The primary goal will be to rediscover the consistent, high-percentage tennis that propelled him into the world's top 10 just two years ago and build on the positive blueprint provided by the Alcaraz win.
As for Valentin Vacherot, his dream run in Paris continues. He advances to face the formidable world number four, Daniil Medvedev, in the third round—a monumental challenge, but also an incredible opportunity on one of the sport’s biggest stages.