29-05-2025
Scotland becomes the focus at the French Open as Jacob Fearnley and Cam Norrie set up Battle of Britain tennis clash
FRENEMIES Scotland becomes the focus at the French Open as Jacob Fearnley and Cam Norrie set up Battle of Britain tennis clash
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TWO Scotsmen will go head to head in the French Open for the first time ever when Cameron Norrie faces Jacob Fearnley on Super Saturday.
Norrie, whose father is Scottish and Fearnley, from Edinburgh, both made it to the third round at Roland Garros.
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Jacob Fearnley beat home favourite Ugo Humbert at the French Open
Credit: Getty
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Cameron Norrie triumphed over Federico Gomez of Argentina
Credit: Getty
It's the first time any British male will appear in the second week of the French Open singles draw for the in eight years.
An all-British third-round clash will go ahead after the pair had interesting passages on day five in Paris.
For the fourth time in five visits to Roland Garros, Norrie reached the third round, thanks this time to a 7-6 6-2 6-1 win over plucky lucky loser Federico Agustin Gomez from Argentina.
A few hours later Fearnley broke new ground in his third match at major level, although he benefited from his opponent withdrawing hurt.
Ugo Humbert, the No.22 seed, tripped over and fell awkwardly on the ground as he hit a double backhand in game eight of the second set.
The Frenchman, 26, clutched his right calf and then hobbled backstage for medical treatment.
Though he did return it was not for very long and after Fearnley delivered an ace in point one of the ninth game, Humbert retired hurt after one hour and 43 minutes, with the score 6-3 4-4 in the Scotsman's favour.
It was not the way Fearnley would have wanted to progress but it sets up a brilliant clash and means someone will emulate Andy Murray, who got to the second week in 2017 when he made the semi-finals.
For Norrie, playing in the second week of this major has so far eluded him but he is feeling confident about his chances of having his best fortnight at a foreign Slam.
The 29-year-old has sunk to 81st in the world – he was 33 this time last year – and until the start of the clay-court campaign in April, he had been struggling to find a win.
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Yet he said: 'I feel like I'm improving as the years go on.
'Even how I'm adapting so quickly to playing on the clay.
'I've improved. It's a completely different mindset. Making the third round now, with another good opportunity.
'I'm happy to be through and enjoying my tennis again. I'm not going to change anything regardless of who I play.
'I feel like I have a really good game for the clay in general.
'I think it's down to whether I'm moving well and giving nothing away, like I did here. I can be really difficult to beat.'
Sonay Kartal kickstarted what was billed as Thriller Thursday for the British contingent but she was out before lunchtime.
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