Edinburgh’s Jacob Fearnley will play 21-year-old French wildcard Robin Bertrand for a place in the quarter finals of the Co’met Orleans tennis open after overcoming Jonathon Eysserie, a French qualifier, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 on Tuesday.
Without appearing as dominant as in recent months perhaps due to a few loose shots it was nevertheless a case of job done – and with a bit to spare for Jacob, 23.
Maybe the pressure of expectation is beginning to kick in a little with the ex-Colinton junior climbing 500 places since June during which he has won three Challenger tournaments?
Evidence that he is beginning to emerge from under the radar came this morning when Jacob was interviewed on BBC Radio Scotland about prospects of reaching the top 100 having started the Orleans tournament at No 126. Also, he is now being tipped as a GB Davis Cup debutant sooner rather than later.
Jacob said: “There are so many incentives to being top 100 its crazy. The difference between being 102 and 98 is huge. To say you have had that milestone but it can be a bit of a trap.
“If I set that goal and it doesn’t happen it might look like failure.”
It certainly won’t hurt his chances that the vastly experienced Richard Gasquet was a surprise first round casualty in Orleans and since turning pro on leaving college in the US Jacob has answered virtually every question asked of him suggesting he can handle any additional pressures.
Canadian ace Denis Shapovalov still lurks in the draw, though, and if Jacob gets past his next opponent he could meet Quentin Halys whom be beat in the final of the Rennes tournament earlier this month but only after saving two match points.
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