Cameron Norrie’s struggles to rediscover his top form continued at Indian Wells, where he suffered a straight-sets defeat to Tommy Paul in the third round. The British player, who won the prestigious tournament in 2021, was unable to match the level of the American 10th seed, falling 6-3, 7-5 in a contest that highlighted the gap between his current form and the heights he once reached.
Despite showing glimpses of his best in the early rounds, Norrie ultimately lacked the firepower and consistency to trouble Paul, who dictated the match with greater confidence in key moments. After an injury-plagued season last year that saw him miss three months with an arm issue, Norrie has struggled to regain his rhythm, slipping to No. 77 in the rankings. However, his second-round victory over Jiri Lehecka, marking his first win over a top-25 opponent since the Australian Open in 2024, offered some encouragement.
Paul, known for his aggressive shot-making and ability to close down points, gradually took control of the encounter. Although Norrie tried to draw his opponent into long, grinding rallies, Paul’s heavier shots often proved decisive. The Briton fought back in the second set, recovering from a break down with a run of 10 successive points. However, his inability to capitalize on key moments was evident in the final game, where he served three double faults, including one on match point.
While the defeat means Norrie exits the tournament with more modest achievements, there are signs of progress. He played some of his best tennis in over a year to reach the third round, but the journey back to the top remains a long one.
Meanwhile, British No. 1 Katie Boulter was also eliminated in the third round, losing 6-0, 7-5 to seventh seed Elena Rybakina. Boulter struggled early on as the former Indian Wells champion dominated the opening set. However, she showed resilience in the second, eventually serving for the set at 5-4. Rybakina, though, responded with three consecutive games to seal the victory.
Competing for the first time since the Australian Open after dealing with a foot injury, Boulter will take some positives from the fight she showed in the latter stages of the match. However, both British players leave Indian Wells knowing they must continue working to reach the levels required to compete with the world’s best.
