Cam Norrie remains the last of the Brit-pack still alive at Roland Garros after a Day 2 win on Monday against fading Frenchman Benoit Paire 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4., .
The 12th seeded Norrie needed more than three and a half hours to send the bearded wild card home, handing Paire a third consecutive first-round defeat at his home Grand Slam.
Briton Jack Draper lasted only 11 games before retiring hurt to hand over a 6-4, 1-0 trip into the second round to Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Norrie fought off 16 aces from Paire, who lost all motivation during the COVID period and let his ranking slide badly.
The Briton broke on eight of his 23 chances while saving 14 of 20 against his own serve.
“It was an amazing match, I was fortunate that it went my way in the fifth set,” the winner said.
“I’m pleased to be through after a really tough one.
“I tried to play point by point, I had to fight back really hard.”
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