French Open 2025: 'What an opportunity' for 'on fire' Cameron Norrie after stunning Daniil Medvedev victory, says Henman
ByOli Gent
Updated 27/05/2025 at 15:03 GMT+1
TNT Sports expert Tim Henman hailed Cameron Norrie's dogged determination and stamina as the Briton produced a stunning five-set upset victory over Daniil Medvedev to dump the 11th seed out of the French Open at the first hurdle. Norrie, the current world No. 81, battled into the second round at Roland-Garros in three hours and 45 minutes, surrendering a two-set advantage on Court Simonne-Mathieu.
'The Brits are on fire' - Henman reacts to Norrie's shock win over Medvedev
Video credit: TNT Sports
TNT Sports expert Tim Henman said that the British players are "on fire" at the French Open as Cameron Norrie became the fourth Briton to progress into the second round.
Norrie, unseeded this year, stunned 11th seed Daniil Medvedev in a five-set thriller on Court Simonne-Mathieu, coming through 7-5 6-3 4-6 1-6 7-5 in three hours and 45 minutes.
He follows Jacob Fearnley - who defeated former champion Stan Wawrinka in straight sets on Monday - Emma Raducanu, and Katie Boulter in the second round in Paris.
Sonay Kartal and Jack Draper are the next Brits looking to book their place in the next stage on the red clay.
Fearnley was the only one not to be taken the distance in the opening matches, but Norrie’s was the most enthralling, with the current world No. 81 surrendering a two-set lead against the former US Open champion.
In the TNT Sports studio, Henman, who himself reached the last four of the French Open in 2004, hailed Norrie’s stamina as the former Wimbledon semi-finalist found an extra burst of energy in the fifth set to claim a dramatic victory.
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"The Brits are on fire at Roland-Garros!" Henman exclaimed.
"What a match. To see the end unfold as it did, you felt like Medvedev had turned it around. He’s got such a good winning record against Cam. But that is Cam’s fighting spirit. It plays such a big part in his success. He’s got such a good engine."
In a match where Medvedev exploded in anger numerous times, Norrie kept his head on the other side of the net, staying calm amidst the storm - even when he was dragged into deep waters in the third, fourth, and fifth sets, as his Russian opponent began to refocus and re-find his rhythm.
However, it was Norrie that managed to conjure up the winning formula, and the "freedom" that he stepped onto court with played a huge part in his victory, Henman said.
"Cam was coming into this having never won a set against Medvedev. He came out with belief," Henman continued.
"From Cam’s point of view, coming into the match with a lot of freedom. He’d never beaten the guy, he’s world No. 11, a former world No. 1 and Grand Slam champion. He went out there and was aggressive and it paid off. Nothing to lose, up two sets to love, and then you’ve got something to lose, and that’s the lead.
"Medvedev’s competitive spirit meant that he was never going to go away. He doesn’t like clay courts, but that’s where the pendulum swung in the fourth. Cam got cautious, and Medvedev upped the aggression."
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Highlights: Norrie shocks Medvedev in marathon five-setter at Roland Garros
Video credit: TNT Sports
As a Medvedev forehand flew long to seal Norrie’s place in round two, the Briton flung his racquet high into the Parisian sky in celebration, with it landing on Medvedev’s side of the net as the pair approached each other to shake hands.
"Just by that reaction - launching his racquet, nearly landing it on Medvedev’s head - he was probably walking to the net thinking, ‘oh my god, I’ve won this match’, and on the other side, Medvedev was thinking, ‘how on earth have I lost that?’" Henman said.
Norrie will face Federico Agustin Gomez, a lucky loser, in the next round, after the Argentine came through against American Aleksandar Kovacevic in four sets out on court 9.
"A big week for Cam last week, to get some matches under his belt," Henman said of Norrie’s Geneva run, which came to an end against Novak Djokovic in the last four, with Djokovic going on to win his 100th career title.
"He lost to Djokovic in the semis, but then came through a match like this. Take a deep breath, and then see who’s next. You look at the draw, and Gomez from Argentina, who was a lucky loser, losing 12 of his last 13 first rounds. Obviously came in with zero confidence. What an opportunity."
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