Jacob Fearnley is into the second round of the Montreal Masters tennis tournament where he will meet world No 17 Jacob Mensik, 20, after a fine 7-6, 6-4 win over veteran Adrian Mannerino of France.
This was more than a win for the Edinburgh player; it was confirmation against the left handed world No 47 that his recent revival is very much for real.
However, it must be said there was a bit to work on in a contest sometimes scrappy although he will have little to lose against an opponent, next up, who can blow hot and cold.
That said the Czech star defeated Novak Djokovic in the final of the 2025 Miami Masters so it would be a particularly notable scalp.
Giving little away particularly behind a strong second serve in sometimes blustery conditions Fearnley settled into a rhythm by the end and made his 38-year-old rival – whom he had beaten in their only previous meeting two years ago – graft for every point.
Jacob also won 78 per cent of his first serve points and fired down six aces.
And if Fearnley can only consolidate service breaks after being pegged pack in both sets who knows how far he can go in already ensuring his ranking will go back into double figures having slipped badly down the scale largely due to injuries.
Its a measure of Fearnley’s progress that the Mannarino cv includes five ATP tour singles titles while he has reached the fourth round of a grand slam event on five occasions.
