EASTBOURNE — British number two Jacob Fearnley delivered a statement performance at the Rothesay International in Eastbourne, overcoming a painful late fall to dominate fifth seed Flavio Cobolli in straight sets (6-4, 6-2). The 22-year-old Scot, playing just his second ATP Tour-level event, shrugged off the tumble as "just a little tweak" before closing out an emphatic victory.
Fearnley, who earned his place in the main draw through qualifying, showcased remarkable composure against the world No. 49 Cobolli. The Edinburgh native's aggressive baseline game and precise serving (winning 82% of first-serve points) kept the Italian under constant pressure. His performance marked the biggest win of his young career and sets up a second-round clash with either Max Purcell or Miomir Kecmanovic.
Fearnley's Resilience Shines Through
The match's defining moment came late in the second set when Fearnley, leading 5-2, took an awkward fall chasing a drop shot. After receiving treatment on his right ankle, he returned to break Cobolli's serve and seal victory. "It was just a little tweak—nothing serious," Fearnley assured reporters post-match. "I knew I could finish the job."
Key factors in Fearnley's win included:
- Dominating first-serve performance (6 aces, 0 double faults)
- Converting 3/4 break point opportunities
- Winning 12/15 net approaches
A Rapid Rise Through the Ranks
Fearnley's Eastbourne breakthrough continues a remarkable 2024 campaign that saw him:
- Win three ITF titles (Nottingham, Glasgow, Shrewsbury)
- Reach a career-high ATP ranking of No. 274 (current live ranking: No. 235)
- Earn his first ATP Challenger Tour final in Nottingham earlier this month
The Texas Christian University graduate credited his collegiate experience for his seamless transition to professional tennis: "Playing NCAA tennis taught me how to compete under pressure. Those team environments—where every point matters—prepared me for moments like today."
Tactical Mastery Against Cobolli
Fearnley's game plan exploited Cobolli's recent struggles on grass:
- Targeted the Italian's weaker backhand wing with heavy slice approaches
- Used his kick serve effectively to open the court (winning 73% of second-serve points)
- Maintained relentless depth to prevent Cobolli from dictating play
Cobolli, who reached the third round at Wimbledon last year, admitted post-match: "Jacob played the big points better. On grass, when someone serves like that and takes chances, it's tough to find rhythm. He deserved the win today."
British Tennis's Grass-Court Surge
Fearnley's victory continues a strong British showing at Eastbourne, following:
- Katie Boulter's run to the quarterfinals in the women's draw
- Billy Harris reaching his first ATP quarterfinal
- Four British men advancing through qualifying (Fearnley, Harris, Charles Broom, Lloyd Glasspool)
LTA Performance Director Simon Timson noted: "Jacob's performance exemplifies the depth we're building in British tennis. His collegiate pathway shows there are multiple routes to success at the highest level."
Looking Ahead
With his Eastbourne run, Fearnley has:
- Guaranteed himself £16,430 in prize money (nearly doubling his career earnings)
- Earned 45 ATP ranking points (projected to rise inside the Top 200 with another win)
- Strengthened his case for a Wimbledon wildcard
As for the ankle concern? Fearnley dismissed any worries: "I'll get some treatment, but I'll be ready for the next match. This is why we do all that conditioning work—to handle these moments."
With British tennis enjoying its most productive grass-court season in years, Fearnley's fearless performance against a seeded opponent suggests another name may soon be joining the country's growing contingent of ATP threats.