Jacob Fearnley’s inspiring run ends with a valiant effort against Zverev in Melbourne.© (@TheTennisTalker )
Britain’s Jacob Fearnley’s impressive Australian Open journey came to an end in the third round against German second seed Alexander Zverev. The 23-year-old Briton, making his debut in an overseas Grand Slam, was defeated in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, at Melbourne Park.
Fearnley ranked 92nd in the world, earned his place in the tournament following a meteoric rise throughout 2024. After a dramatic first-round win against an injured Nick Kyrgios and a strong second-round performance against France’s Arthur Cazaux, Fearnley set up a much-anticipated clash with the seasoned Zverev. Despite showcasing his potential, Fearnley found Zverev’s consistency and experience too much to overcome.
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Reflecting on the match, Fearnley expressed satisfaction with his performance despite the loss. “I don’t have any regrets with how I played the match. It’s been an awesome experience—a perfect week for me and an unbelievable tournament,” he said.
The Scot, who was competing in third-tier ITF events just a year ago and celebrating a modest M25 title in Luxembourg, has quickly increased to the upper echelons of the ATP Tour. Now a top-100 player, Fearnley’s rapid progression has brought him to compete with some of the world’s best on equal footing. This week’s journey highlights his strides since his university days in the United States.
In the match against Zverev, Fearnley held his own for large parts of the contest, but crucial lapses at pivotal moments proved decisive. The German, a two-time Grand Slam finalist and one of the sport’s premier servers, broke Fearnley’s serve to love in the first set’s sixth game—a moment that shifted momentum. A medical timeout for Fearnley to address a lower back issue followed, but while he returned to the court visibly more comfortable, Zverev maintained his composure and control.
Despite breaking Zverev’s serve once in each set, Fearnley struggled to consolidate those breaks, immediately losing his serve in the subsequent games. Zverev’s consistency and ability to close out each set underlined the difference between the two players. Praising his opponent, Zverev noted, “Jacob Jones is an incredible player. He went through all the stages—university, Futures, Challengers—and is now on the big stage. I have massive respect for him. He will get better over the next few years.”
Fearnley’s defeat leaves Jack Draper as the only Briton in the men’s singles draw. In an evening match, Draper, seeded 15th, is set to face Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic later today.
As for Zverev, the 27-year-old progresses to the fourth round, where he will face either 14th seed Ugo Humbert or 20th seed Arthur Fils. With his Melbourne pedigree and early-round performances, Zverev remains one of the favorites to contend for the title.
