Norrie sets up meeting with Alcaraz in Paris

After defeating Sebastian Baez in straight sets, British Open champion Cameron Norrie is “pumped” to face world no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the second round of the Paris Masters.

In a match that featured six break-of-use, the world number 31 defeated Argentine Baez, who was 12 places below him.

Before Baez pulled it back to 3-3, Norrie had his serve cut to 15.

However, the 30-year-old recovered to convert his second set point and won the subsequent three games.

In the second set, Norrie threatened to retake control of the 3-0 lead before cutting off the first set by saving a break point in the sixth game. She then saved four more in the tenth game before deciding to end the contest at the first chance.

“It was very difficult for me to serve the match.” Norrie told Sky Sports, “I promised to pretend it was 0-30 and 0-40.”

“It was about doing the job, and it was nice to face some hardship.” Not a typical match, either. He won the battle.

On Tuesday, Norrie will face Alcaraz, who exited the tournament last year in the third round. The Spaniard will play his first tour match since defeating Taylor Fritz in the Japan Open final at the end of September.

Alcaraz has won five of its seven meetings, most recently when it defeated Norrie in straight sets in the Wimbledon quarter-finals this year.