Jacob Fearnley is through to the second round at the Australian Open. The Briton took down the home favorite Nick Kyrgios 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 in two hours and 19 minutes on John Cain Arena, notching his first victory in Melbourne.
Kyrgios played his first Major match since the 2022 US Open. The Aussie fought well on his favorite court, dealing with physical issues but enduring until the end. He missed a set point in the third set and fell after a poor performance in the tie break.
In control from go to woah, Jacob Fearnley gets the better of Nick Kyrgios 7-6(3) 6-3 6-2
Onto the next one, Jacob!@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/5PkQKx7nx1
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2025
Jacob fired 17 aces and dominated behind the first serve. The Briton kept his second serve under control and lost serve once from three chances offered to his opponent. Fearnley landed 46 winners and 27 unforced errors.
Kyrgios fought well and responded with a 35-32 ratio. The home star dropped 31% of the points in his games and played against 11 break points. He defended nine but got broken two times to end his campaign in the first round despite a solid effort.
Nick did not look good in the second set, asking for a medical timeout at 1-4. He recovered and stayed competitive by the end of the duel, missing a chance to introduce the fourth set and extend his chances.
Jacob Fearnley, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Aussie saved two break points in the seventh game of the opener, remaining on the positive side. The set went into a tie break, and Fearnley landed a forehand winner for 3-1. He won another point on the return to increase the lead and clinched the breaker 7-3.
Jacob gained a boost and played flawless tennis in the second set. He served well and delivered an early break in the second game. Nick saved two break point in the sixth game before his rival landed a service winner at 5-3 for two sets to love lead after an hour and 18 minutes.
Nick Kyrgios & Jacob Fearnley, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Briton scored an early break in the third set and led 3-1 before the Aussie pulled the break back in game six for more drama. Kyrgios saved a break point in game nine and generated a set point on the return at 5-4. Fearnley saved it with a forehand winner.
The Aussie denied another break point in the 11th game and introduced a tie break. Nick dropped three points on serve and found himself 6-1 down. Jacob seized the second match point with a deep return to seal the deal and score his first win in Melbourne.
Tennis World USA