Draper and Norrie blaze trail for British brigade

Victories against Bellucci and Medvedev lead the way on bright day for GB players

- Tumaini Carayol

Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie led the way on another impressive day for British tennis players on the clay courts of Paris as its two most successful active male players moved into the second round of the French Open.

Norrie took a significant step in his attempts to re-establish himself at the highest level of the ATP tour as he toppled the former world No 1 Daniil Medvedev, seeded 11th, 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 1-6, 7-5 after trailing 3-5 in the final set.

Later, Draper maintained his composure to secure his first career win at the French Open by defeating Mattia Bellucci 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. Sonay Kartal, meanwhile, continued her steady rise by beating Erika Andreeva 6-0, 6-2 to win on her main-draw debut.

After victories for Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu and Jacob Fearnley on Monday, this is the first time in the open era that three British men and three women have won first-round matches at Roland Garros and the most British players into the second round since 1973.

Draper returned to Paris for his third career appearance in a curious position. He continued his incredible rise this year by finally breaking through on clay and he entered Court Suzanne Lenglen as a top-five player at a grand slam tournament for the first time. At the same time, he was still seeking his first French Open victory.