British tennis suffered a major blow at the Rolex Paris Masters as Cameron Norrie's campaign ended abruptly in a dramatic first-round clash against Monaco's Valentin Vacherot. The world number 18 fell 6-3, 4-6, 3-6 in a gripping encounter that lasted over two hours at the Accor Arena.
Norrie started strongly, dominating the opening set with his characteristic baseline consistency and breaking Vacherot's serve to take early control. The British number one appeared poised for a straightforward victory, but the match took an unexpected turn in the second set.
Monaco's Rising Star Fights Back
Valentin Vacherot, ranked 65th in the world, mounted an impressive comeback, showcasing powerful groundstrokes and fearless tennis. The 25-year-old from Monte-Carlo began finding his range, putting Norrie under increasing pressure with his aggressive returns and net play.
"This represents one of the most significant victories of my career," an elated Vacherot declared afterwards. "Facing a player of Cam's calibre and emerging victorious in such a prestigious tournament gives me tremendous confidence moving forward."
Third Set Collapse Proves Costly
The decisive third set saw Norrie's game unravel as unforced errors crept into his performance. Vacherot capitalised on the Brit's dip in form, breaking serve early and maintaining his advantage throughout the set. Norrie's frustration became increasingly visible as the match slipped away.
This early exit marks another disappointing result for Norrie following his recent first-round defeat at the Swiss Indoors in Basel. The British star will now turn his attention to preparing for the upcoming ATP Finals and the new season.
What's Next for British Tennis?
With Norrie's departure, British interest in the singles draw at Bercy has ended prematurely. The focus now shifts to whether the 28-year-old can regain his form ahead of the Australian Open in January.
Vacherot progresses to face either American Ben Shelton or Argentine Sebastian Baez in the second round, riding a wave of confidence after claiming the biggest win of his professional career.
