Top seed Jacob Fearnley, from Edinburgh, is into the quarter final of the Olbia Challenger tennis tournament in Sardinia after overcoming Jan Kumstat of the Czech Republic, 6-4, 6-3.
This was close to a statement win for Fearnley because although Kumstat is ranked almost 100 places below him at No191 at 19-years-old he is one of the game’s real up and comings. To dispatch him with no real fuss was a feather in the Scot’s cap.
And, since reaching No 3 among the world’s juniors, Kumkat has taken the Challenger series by storm, winning three consecutive titles.
Despite having to come from 0-3 in the second set Fearnley usually had his measure and plugged a weakness on the back hand side of his opponent with notable success.
Also, Fearnley’s first serve was a key weapon with 88% of points won on his first delivery against a rival who looked increasingly exasperated as the match wore on. Also, Fearnley was able to drop the pace of his second serve resulting in a below average three double faults.
Jacob now plays another Czech 19-year-old in Max Mrva.
