Norrie beats Fearnley after firework disruption

In a third-round French Open match that was halted by loud fireworks outside Paris St-Germain’s stadium, Cameron Norrie kept his focus on defeating British rival Jacob Fearnley.

Fearnley, 23, took Norrie’s place as the country’s top two earlier this year, but he resurrected himself in a 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 victory.

PSG fans savagely awaited their team’s Champions League final against Inter Milan in Munich while the match was largely over the course of the match.

Norrie, who is ranked 81st in the world, described how managing the fireworks next door was the “toughest part” for both of us.

After a few challenging seasons, Norrie, who was playing at his best, used his experience to overthrow his fellow Scot.

Fearnley, the French Open debutant, appeared to have picked up a broken leg in the second set.

As Norrie made its first appearance in the final 16 of the clay-court Grand Slam, Fearnley, who is ranked 55th, produced a double fault on match point.

Novak Djokovic, who played later on Saturday, might get to meet with the reward.

After a three-hour contest played in bizarre circumstances, Norrie and Fearnley, who had never previously played at ATP level, embraced warmly at the net.

Nearly 50 000 supporters poured into Roland Garros’ Parc des Princes to watch the game on large screens.

When Norrie had a 4-1 lead in the second-set tie-break, he had to abort his serve, but he refocused and took the lead.

In addition to the fireworks, the audience could also hear police sirens and car horns that were tooting during the opening two sets.

As the football match’s kick-off time approached, the noise faded in the third set, and Norrie won.

It was very difficult to get there, said Norrie, and I feel great about it.