Nasty fall helps Fearnley set up Norrie meeting

Jacob Fearnley moved into an all-British gathering pinch Cameron Norrie successful nan French Open 3rd information aft his force Ugo Humbert retired pursuing a nasty fall.

Fearnley, who replaced Norrie arsenic nan British number 2 earlier this year, was starring 6-3 4-4 erstwhile French 22nd seed Humbert quit.

Humbert tumbled arsenic he stretched for a return astatine 40-40 successful nan eighth crippled and instantly clutched his correct leg.

After receiving treatment, Humbert gamely tried to proceed wearing dense strapping and mislaid service earlier deciding it would not beryllium sensible to transportation on.

As a result, 23-year-old Fearnley - who is 55th successful nan world aft a accelerated emergence complete nan past 12 months - moved into nan past 32 connected his French Open debut.

Norrie booked his spot earlier connected Thursday with a 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 6-1 win complete Argentine qualifier Federico Gomez.

The 29-year-old has slipped to 81st successful nan rankings, but has rediscovered his shape connected nan clay and earned 1 of nan astir satisfying wins of his profession erstwhile he hit erstwhile world number 1 Daniil Medvedev astatine Roland Garros earlier this week.

The British brace will play each different for nan first clip connected Saturday.

Fearnley overtaking erstwhile world number 8 Norrie - becoming British number 2 down Jack Draper - was different notable landmark for nan Edinburgh player.

Having only graduated from assemblage successful nan United States past April, Fearnley was classed extracurricular of nan world's apical 500 conscionable 12 months ago.

Since past he has made 1 of nan fastest climbs successful ATP Tour history and collapsed caller crushed astatine nan Grand Slam tournaments.

Fearnley won connected his Wimbledon debut past summertime earlier putting up a conflict successful a four-set conclusion by reigning champion Novak Djokovic, past hit location favourite Nick Kyrgios connected his measurement to nan Australian Open 3rd information successful his overseas awesome debut.

The eye-catching draws continued erstwhile he was paired against Swiss erstwhile champion Stan Wawrinka past week astatine Roland Garros.

The mode successful which he quietened nan pro-Wawrinka crowd successful an businesslike triumph stood him successful bully stead for facing Humbert.

The Roland Garros crowds tin beryllium boisterous but Fearnley, whose inheritance successful nan trash-talking US assemblage crippled helps guarantee he does not get fazed, sapped immoderate of nan power from nan location fans successful a assured start.

Fearnley did way by a break successful nan 2nd group arsenic Humbert threatened a comeback, but yet progressed successful nan measurement which nary players wishes to win.

After going information nan nett to cheque connected his stricken opponent, Fearnley held his hands up to nan crowd successful a measurement of showing his sympathy.

Now he will move his attraction to Norrie, who besides learned his trade playing for Texas Christian University.

Having stunned Medvedev successful a thriller connected Tuesday, Norrie faced a different task against 114th-ranked Gomez successful a lucifer he was expected to win.

"I had to get up for this lucifer - I was nan favourite to triumph it," Norrie told BBC Sport.

"I was capable to bring a 6/7 retired of 10 performance, I was happy pinch that."