Jacob Fearnley beaten in straight sets by world No 2 Alexander Zverev as Brit's fairytale Australian Open run comes to an end
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Jacob Fearnley’s Australian Open adventure is over as he was outclassed by No2 seed Alexander Zverev. After two raucous and rollocking wins this week the 23-year-old Scot found himself in the more clinical environment of the Margaret Court Arena and he was surgically taken apart by Zverev.
![[World No 2 Zverev beat the Brit 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets, but Fearnley was courageous]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/17/06/94200435-14295397-image-a-7_1737095291902.jpg)
But this 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 defeat was far from an embarrassment. The Scot was the first man at this Australian Open to break the Zverev serve and he did it twice. It was not quite as impressive as taking Novak Djokovic to four tight sets on Centre Court last year but Fearnley has acquitted himself well in his first two brushes with greatness.
![[Zverev was full of praise for Fearnley following the match and called him an 'incredible player']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/17/06/94200429-14295397-image-a-8_1737095294149.jpg)
‘He’s an incredible player,’ said Zverev, 27, after the match. ‘He went through all the stages: he went to college, Futures, Challengers and now he’s in the third round of a Grand Slam. I’ve got massive respect for him and the effort he has put into the sport.’.
![[Fearnley leaves Australia with a £150,000 pay cheque and a new career-high ranking of 77]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/17/06/94200427-14295397-image-a-9_1737095299308.jpg)
Fearnley will leave Australia with a cheque for £150,000, a new career-high ranking of 77 and, most importantly, bags of confidence and experience as he begins his first full season on the tour. He will also leave having made something of a name for himself here in Melbourne.
Jacob Fearnley's Australian Open run came to an end as he was beaten by Alexander Zverev. World No 2 Zverev beat the Brit 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets, but Fearnley was courageous. Zverev was full of praise for Fearnley following the match and called him an 'incredible player'.
