Edinburgh tennis ace Jacob Fearnley will face top seed and world No 2 Alexander Zverev in the second round of the Miami Masters tournament on Saturday after a truly remarkable opening win.
The 23-year-old Scot seemed down and out against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi when, hampered by what appeared upper leg cramping, he lost four successive games to go from a set up (7-6) to level at set all.
When Fearnley was broken at the start of the decider despite earlier treatment from the trainer things looked bleak. But the former Colinton junior and Merchiston Castle School tennis alumni immediately broke back and traded service games until Bonzi was broken for 6-4 as a major comeback ensued.
“I was feeling my left leg twitching and had to dig deep” said Fearnley who went for broke behind his powerful forehand.
“If I hadn’t broken at the start of the third set it could have got away from me. I wanted no part of a rally. I had to go for it. He was getting me quite a bit in the rallies.”
Bonzi is ranked 20 places above Fearnley at No 63 but that gap will close soon – especially if he can turn the tables on Zverev after defeat against the German at the Australian Open third round stage.
That match was over best-of-five sets though and the best-of-three format might suit Fearnley in his have-a-go mindset.
“It helps a lot (to have played Zverev in Melbourne” said Fearnley who frequently punched the air as he pulled off some striking winners and powerful serves at the business end of the tie, “I know what to expect.
“I look forward to matches like this. It’s why I play tennis.”
Evergreen sports journalist. Previously published in many publications around the world. Send me your local sports stories. billlothian1008@gmail.com
