Kyle Edmund: Though to round three
Kyle Edmund: Though to round three

French Open: Kyle Edmund wins at Roland Garros but Cameron Norrie out


A review of Thursday's action in the men’s French Open draw, where Kyle Edmund and Rafael Nadal earned places in round three.

Edmund edges through

Kyle Edmund reached the third round of the French Open for the second successive year with an up-and-down four-set victory over Hungarian Marton Fucsovics.

Fucsovics, ranked 45, came into the contest on a six-match winning streak after claiming his first ATP Tour title in Geneva last week but lost the first set in just 27 minutes without winning a game.

Edmund had his own slump in the second set when he called the trainer for a problem with the index finger on his right racket hand, losing the first five games.

But the British number one responded well, quickly moving 3-0 ahead in the third, and went on to claim a 6-0 1-6 6-2 6-3 victory after two hours and 16 minutes.

The fourth set was the first to be really competitive but, after saving three break points at 2-2, Edmund made his own breakthrough in the eighth game and served out the victory.

As the 16th seed, it is no more than Edmund should have expected, but it again shows the progress the 23-year-old has made in a short space of time.

He is likely to face a severe test in the next round as he looks to reach the last 16 for the first time at Roland Garros, with mercurial Italian Fabio Fognini his opponent.

And Edmund will know he must improve his serve having landed just 44 per cent of his first serves during the clash with Fucsovics.

Nadal powers past Pella

Rafael Nadal looked in ominous form as the world number one marched through Argentina's Guido Pella 6-2 6-1 6-1 in under two hours.

Pella, ranked 78 in the world, put up a decent fight in the first set with some classy winners, but facing deuce after deuce on his own serve with Nadal pounding away from the back of the court he understandably wilted.

Nadal will face France's 29th seed Richard Gasquet in the third round.

Marin Cilic, the third seed from Croatia, did not have things all his own way against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland but came through 6-2 6-2 6-7 (3/7) 7-5.

Sixth seed Kevin Anderson of South Africa also needed four sets to get past tricky Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7/5) 6-4.

Austrian seventh seed Dominic Thiem resumed at 2-1 up against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas and eventually won 6-2 2-6 6-4 6-4.

No luck for Norrie

Cameron Norrie's extended stint at the French Open came to an end against Lucas Pouille.

The British number three earned a stay of execution on Wednesday evening when he pinched the third set in near darkness, ensuring the match would have to continue into Thursday.

French number one Pouille led 2-1 overnight and served for the fourth set at 6-5 only for Norrie to hit back and force a tie-break.

But Pouille held his nerve and the 15th seed eventually prevailed 6-2 6-4 5-7 7-6 (7/3).

Related tennis links

Like what you've read?

MOST READ

Sporting Life
Join for free!
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Race Replays
My stable horse tracker
giftOffers and prize draws
newsExclusive content

Next Off

Fixtures & Results

Fetching latest games....
We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo