Alexander Zverev hails ‘incredible’ British star Jacob Fearnley after Australian Open win
'I have massive respect for him.'
Alexander Zverev heaped praise on Jacob Fearnley after beating the rising British tennis star 6-3 6-4 6-4 at the Australian Open on Friday.
British No.3 Fearnley enjoyed a remarkable run to the third round at Melbourne Park this year at his first overseas Grand Slam tournament.
Fearnley, ranked world No.92, impressively beat Nick Kyrgios and Arthur Cazaux but his dream is now over after losing to second-seed Zverev.
The 23-year-old, who made his major debut at Wimbledon last year, leaves Melbourne Park with his head held high in a glowing start to the season.
The future looks very bright for Fearnley – with his climb from 646th to 98th in the world rankings in 2024 the fifth biggest annual rise into the top 100 since 2000.
‘Jacob is an incredible player,’ German superstar Zverev said about the Briton’s performance.
‘He went through all the stages – going to university, playing Futures, Challengers – and now he is playing on the big stage.
‘I have massive respect for him. [And I think] he will get better over the next few years.’
Fearnley’s defeat leaves two British players standing across the men’s singles and women’s singles.
British No.1 Jack Draper, seeded 15th, faces Australian world No.68 Aleksandar Vukic later today (Friday, January 17) at Margaret Court Arena.
Emma Raducanu, meanwhile, locks horns with second-seed Iga Swiatek at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday around 12.30am UK time.
‘I really relish [big occasions],’ Raducanu said ahead of the showdown. ‘I love the big stadiums, the big matches. It’s something that I just really enjoy doing.
‘And it’s so nice to also just go a round further than I did in the last three years that I played here. Australia is somewhere where I really like playing.
‘I like the conditions, I like the crowd and the support here has been amazing, with a lot of union jacks in the crowd as well, which is great. It’s a match that I’m looking forward to.’
