Cameron Norrie pinches third set in Paris gloom at French Open
Brit trailing Pouille 2-6 4-6 7-5 before play suspended in near darkness
Wednesday 30 May 2018 21:47, UK
Cameron Norrie prolonged his French Open adventure by another day at least after taking home favourite Lucas Pouille into a fourth set before fading light stopped play.
The home favourite and 15th seed pummelled Norrie early on and the British No 3 looked in danger of being swept aside at Roland Garros.
Norrie trailed by two sets with Pouille looking as though he desperately wanted the match done and dusted before the light failed - the players had only walked on to Court Philippe Chatrier at 6.50pm.
This time last year Norrie had only just turned professional and was playing a Challenger event at Surbiton, but 12 months on the 22-year-old stepped out on the Roland Garros showcourt aiming to silence the talented Pouille and the Paris crowd.
Norrie has proved he can live with top-20 players after recent wins over Roberto Bautista Agut, in the Davis Cup, and John Isner, but Pouille was an undoubted step up in class during a one-sided first two sets before the French No 1 began to tighten.
Norrie settled and broke in the final game of the third set to trail 2-6 4-6 7-5 when they were brought off in near darkness at 9.43pm.
