French Open 2025: Cameron Norrie beats Jacob Fearnley in match disrupted by Champions League fireworks

Norrie and Fearnley could have by no means beforehand met on the ATP Tour, however they’re properly conscious of one another, having trodden the same path into the skilled ranks.

The pair each performed United States school tennis at Texas Christian College, with the older Norrie typically going again to supply knowledge to the youthful cohorts.

Norrie has been a shining instance to them by maximising his talents to forge a formidable profession – reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2022 on his manner into the world’s prime 10.

Fearnley didn’t make his ATP debut till final 12 months, turning skilled shortly after finishing his kinesiology diploma.

At that time, he was nonetheless unranked however has since made one of many sharpest rises in ATP historical past.

Fearnley had not performed on clay professionally till final month and Norrie – who beat former world primary Daniil Medvedev within the first spherical – produced one other assured show to win.

“I was really able to play consistent kind of vintage Norrie tennis,” stated the British quantity three.

“Just playing seven out of 10 for three and a half hours – or as long as I needed to do that. I did it again so I was really happy with the way I performed.”

Norrie shared a heat embrace with Fearnley on the web after a three-hour contest performed in weird circumstances.

Virtually 50,000 soccer supporters have been arriving on the Parc des Princes – over the highway from Roland Garros – to look at the Champions League last on huge screens.

Norrie needed to abort his serve when he led 4-1 within the second-set tie-break, however refocused to safe a commanding lead.

In addition to the fireworks, the gamers might additionally hear automobile horns tooting and police sirens in the course of the opening two units.

The noise subsided within the third set – because the soccer match’s kick-off time approached – and Norrie cruised to victory.