Twelve months in the past, Fearnley was nonetheless a college scholar in the US and enjoying tournaments on the third-tier ITF Tour.
Whereas all eyes have been on the celebs at Melbourne Park, he was celebrating successful an M25 title in Luxembourg.
Now, having climbed into the world’s prime 100 in considered one of quickest rises on the ATP Tour, Fearnley is on an equal footing with the perfect.
Inflicting a seismic shock would have seen Fearnley grow to be solely the seventh man to achieve the Melbourne final 16 on his debut.
Zverev is likely one of the largest servers within the sport and it was little shock that Fearnley, regardless of being a pointy returner, couldn’t initially get into his opponent’s service video games.
There was little distinction between the pair in a decent first set and Fearnley shedding his serve to like within the sixth sport was decisive.
A worrying signal was Fearnley gingerly transferring between factors in the direction of the top of the set with what appeared to be a decrease again concern.
After Zverev secured the lead, Fearnley disappeared off court docket for a medical time-out and he returned wanting extra relaxed.
He was unable to take two break factors within the second sport and appeared to have paid the worth when Zverev broke for a 4-2 lead.
Staying unfazed is likely one of the Scot’s largest strengths and he responded with an aggressive returning sport to hit straight again.
Nonetheless, he was damaged once more instantly and Zverev confidently served out to take a two-set lead.
These lapses of focus on the odd service sport additionally proved pricey within the third set.
Whereas he took Zverev’s serve for a second time to stage at 2-2, Fearnley couldn’t maintain his stage or focus and was damaged within the subsequent sport for a lead which Zverev wouldn’t relinquish.