Britain’s Cameron Norrie said he is looking forward to facing World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz in the second round of the ongoing Rolex Paris Masters on Tuesday. Alcaraz has a 5-2 win-loss record against the Brit and the latter would look to challenge the Spaniard.
Alcaraz had registered a straight-set win against Norrie in the quarterfinal of Wimbledon and the Brit would be determined to take his revenge.
“It’s a match to enjoy. He’s one of the two best players in the world, between him and Jannik [Sinner],” Norrie told ATPTour.com. “I’m going to take it to him… I always have battles with him, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Meanwhile, the Briton registered a 6-3, 6-4 win against Sebastian Baez in the first round on Monday and admitted he was a bit nervous.
“I was a little bit nervous, but it’s a nice new feeling to be playing here in La Défense,” said Norrie, the current World No. 31. “I think those are the exact matches you want to be playing — when you’re a bit nervous and then you come through it — so that’s nice.
“It’s good to work on [the nerves] in a real-life match scenario when you are the favourite to win and you have to perform. I was able to do that in some big moments, so I enjoyed that.”
Meanwhile, Paris courts are expected to be on the slower side and Norrie feels he can come into the contest with his topspin.
“For sure I like it. I remember last year it was so quick I couldn’t make too many balls,” Norrie said of the conditions. “It suits my game well and the ball’s bouncing up a little bit more than I remember. It was always pretty low here before, so that’s really good for my forehand and I can get some good revs on it.”
“Especially on this court, where the ball is bouncing a lot, I’m going to have to vary it a lot and be ready for anything,” Norrie said. “He’s got a very complete game and is also one of the most confident guys at the moment, so I’m going to have to play my best to have a chance.
