Nasty fall helps Fearnley set up Norrie meeting

Jacob Fearnley moved into an all-British meeting with Cameron Norrie in the French Open third round after his opponent Ugo Humbert retired following a nasty fall.

Fearnley, who replaced Norrie as the British number two earlier this year, was leading 6-3 4-4 when French 22nd seed Humbert quit.

Humbert tumbled as he stretched for a return at 40-40 in the eighth game and instantly clutched his right leg.

After receiving treatment and wearing heavy strapping, Humbert gamely tried to continue and lost serve before deciding it would not be sensible to carry on.

As a result, 23-year-old Fearnley - who is 55th in the world after a rapid rise over the past 12 months - moved into the last 32 on his French Open debut.

Norrie booked his place earlier on Thursday with a 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 6-1 win over Argentine qualifier Federico Gomez.

The 29-year-old has slipped to 81st in the rankings, but has rediscovered his form on the clay and earned one of the most satisfying wins of his career when he beat former world number one Daniil Medvedev at Roland Garros earlier this week.

The British pair will play each other for the first time on Saturday.

Fearnley overtaking former world number eight Norrie - becoming British number two behind Jack Draper - was another notable landmark for the Edinburgh player.

Having only graduated from university in the United States last April, Fearnley was ranked outside of the world's top 500 just 12 months ago.

Since then he has made one of the fastest climbs in ATP Tour history and broke new ground at the Grand Slam tournaments.

Fearnley won on his Wimbledon debut last summer before putting up a fight in a four-set defeat by reigning champion Novak Djokovic, then beat home favourite Nick Kyrgios on his way to the Australian Open third round in his overseas major debut.

The eye-catching draws continued when he was paired against Swiss former champion Stan Wawrinka last week at Roland Garros.

The manner in which he quietened the pro-Wawrinka crowd in an efficient victory stood him in good stead for facing Humbert.

The Roland Garros crowds can be boisterous but Fearnley, whose background in the trash-talking US college game helps ensure he does not get fazed, sapped some of the energy from the home fans in a confident start.

Fearnley did trail by a break in the second set as Humbert threatened a comeback, but ultimately progressed in the way which no players wishes to win.

After going round the net to check on his stricken opponent, Fearnley held his hands up to the crowd in a way of showing his sympathy.