Draper edges past Monfils in late-night French Open thriller

Jack Draper ensured there will be three British men in the French Open third round for the first time since 1968 by seeing off home favourite Gael Monfils in a memorable late-night thriller.

With the Parisian crowd willing on 38-year-old Monfils, fifth seed Draper stayed focused and regrouped to win 6-3 4-6 6-3 7-5 on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Former world number six Monfils threatened to force a decider in an absorbing contest - full of high-quality rallies and entertainment - but could not serve out at 5-3 or take two set points at 5-4.

Draper, 23, maintained his composure superbly to record the finest Roland Garros win of his fledgling career.

"My brain was fried out here," Draper said afterwards.

"I'm not sure if I am going to go to sleep tonight because my brain is just all over the place with what [Gael] was doing out here.

"That's why he has had such a successful career and is loved by all the fans. The players love to watch him play as well but not to play against him."

The British number one, who plays Brazilian teenage sensation Joao Fonseca next, moved into the last 32 alongside Jacob Fearnley and Cameron Norrie, who play each other in an all-British meeting.

Fearnley, 23, progressed when his French opponent Ugo Humbert retired following a nasty fall.

Fearnley, who replaced Norrie as the British number two earlier this year, was leading 6-3 4-4 when 22nd seed Humbert quit.

Norrie, 29, booked his place earlier on Thursday with a 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 6-1 win over Argentine qualifier Federico Gomez.

It will be the first time in the Open era - which started in 1968 when professionalism was ushered in - that two British players have met beyond the first round in Paris.

Over the past year, Draper has developed into a leading player with genuine ambitions of landing the biggest prizes in the sport.

The way the Englishman overcame Monfils was another example of his growing maturity.

After two chastening previous experiences on the Paris clay, Draper has returned with a point to prove.

Patience was required as he battled from a set down against Italian opponent Mattia Bellucci on Tuesday to earn his first career win at Roland Garros.

It was a similar theme against the popular Monfils, who can whip up the crowd with his talented shot-making and infectious character.

The French fans have a reputation for being boisterous and, with one of their favourite sons playing in the twilight of his career, created an energetic atmosphere which Draper had to block out.

Crucially, he remained calm for the majority of the entertaining contest.

Despite having his errors enthusiastically cheered, with spectators implored to stop shouting out, Draper stayed locked in to retake the lead after Monfils levelled.

Signs of agitation did show in the fourth set, though.

An outburst towards his box released some tension - and drew whistles from the home fans - but could not prevent Draper from losing serve for 4-2.

After not converting five break-back points in a 13-minute seventh game, Draper took his chance in the ninth - but the drama continued as Monfils had two set points in the 10th.

Draper, though, is a different beast these days.

Having won three consecutive five-setters at the Australian Open in January, he proved again that he can come through moments of adversity deep into Grand Slam matches - even though he avoided a decider this time.

Draper managed to keep playing with clarity of mind, winning the final five games of the match and sealing a three-hour victory at 11:44pm local time.

"There were times where I was very frustrated but I reminded myself that this is why I put in the hard work to play on courts like this," said Draper.

"It is something I enjoyed while I was playing even though it didn't look like it."

For Edinburgh's Fearnley, becoming British number two earlier this year was another notable landmark.

Having graduated from university in the United States last April, Fearnley was ranked outside of the world's top 500 just 12 months ago.

Since then he has made one of the fastest climbs in ATP Tour history and broke new ground at the Grand Slam tournaments.

The eye-catching draws continued when he was paired against Swiss former champion Stan Wawrinka last week at Roland Garros.

The manner in which he quietened the pro-Wawrinka crowd in an efficient victory stood him in good stead for facing Humbert.

Fearnley, whose background in the trash-talking US college game helps ensure he does not get fazed, sapped some energy from the home fans in a confident start.

He did trail by a break in the second set, but ultimately progressed in the way which no player wishes to win.

Humbert tumbled as he stretched for a return at 40-40 in the eighth game and clutched his right leg.

After receiving treatment, he tried to continue wearing heavy strapping and lost serve before deciding it would not be sensible to carry on.

As a result, Fearnley - now 55th in the world - moved into the last 32 on his French Open debut.

Now he will switch his attention to Norrie, who also learned his craft playing for Texas Christian University.

Norrie has slipped to 81st in the rankings, but has rediscovered his form on clay and earned one of the most satisfying wins of his career when he beat former world number one Daniil Medvedev at Roland Garros earlier this week.

Facing 114th-ranked Gomez in a match he was expected to win presented a different challenge.

"I had to get up for this match - I was the favourite to win it," Norrie told BBC Sport.

"I was able to bring a 6/7 out of 10 performance, I was happy with that."

In the men's doubles, Britain's Henry Patten and Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara progressed to the second round with a 6-3 6-4 win over Czech pair Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl.

But 14th seeds Jamie Murray and American Rajeev Ram were beaten 6-4 6-4 by French wildcards Arthur Cazaux and Harold Mayot.

In the women's doubles, Briton Maia Lumsden and American Sabrina Santamaria reached the second round by defeating French duo Sarah Iliev and Emma Lene 6-3 6-1.

Meanwhile, in the mixed doubles, Britain's Lloyd Glasspool and Mexico's Giuliana Olmos won 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 against fellow Briton Julian Cash and Australian Ellen Perez.

But Joe Salisbury and Slovakia's Tereza Mihalikova were knocked out by New Zealand fifth seeds Michael Venus and Erin Routliffe 7-5 6-3.