5 days ago
8
Image source, Getty Images
Valentin Vacherot has never been beyond the opening round at a Grand Slam
British number two Cameron Norrie struggled to find his rhythm as he lost in straight sets to Monaco's Valentin Vacherot at the Paris Masters.
Norrie, 30, described his victory against world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the previous round as "the biggest win of my career" but was unable to reach that level again, losing 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.
Vacherot, who beat his cousin Arthur Rinderknech to win his first ATP title at the Shanghai Masters earlier this month, will face either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Daniel Altmaier in the quarter-finals.
"It was a really big performance," Vacherot said of his win over Norrie.
"I'm happy with how I handled the hot moments.
"Everything is clicking now. It's the work of many years - pure work."
Vacherot was ranked world number 204 in September but entered this week's tournament at 40th.
The Monegasque has won 10 of his 12 meetings with top-50 ranked players this year, with world number 31 Norrie the latest to fall.
Norrie dropped just two points on serve in the opening set but failed to capitalise on his one break point opportunity and eventually came up short in the tie-break.
The Briton was booed by the crowd in the French capital when he tried to get them on board by raising his arms in the second set.
He went on to pass up a further two break points at 2-2 and then dropped serve in the following game.
With momentum on his side and the finishing line in sight, Vacherot saved another two break points to lead 5-3 before cupping his hand to his ear and waving his racquet to the crowd.
He wrapped up victory on his second match point when Norrie hooked a forehand into the base of the net.
