Jacob Fearnley in the 2019 Junior Boys Australian Open
Jacob Fearnley in the 2019 Junior Boys Australian Open | (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Tennis | Australian Open 2025 | Fearnley downs frail Kyrgios for victory on Melbourne debut, takes on Cazaux next

By Tony Fairbairn

  • Jacob Fearnley def Nick Kyrgios [PR] 7-6(3) 6-3 7-6(2)
  • Fearnley v Arthur Cazaux | H2H: First Meeting
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Jacob Fearnley defeated Nick Kyrgios in straight sets on his Australian Open debut and will now play Arthur Cazaux in the second round.

 

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Jacob Fearnley def Nick Kyrgios [PR] 7-6(3) 6-3 7-6(2)

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Jacob Fearnley is into the second round of the Australian Open after defeating Nick Kyrgios in his debut in Melbourne. An expectant John Cain Arena was expecting another showstopping performance from the Australian but what they weren’t expecting was a clinical display from Fearnley as he created break points early on.

Although Fearnley failed to secure the break the Brit was never really troubled on serve, only losing five points on serve in the whole of the opening set. Although this was only the first set, Kyrgios was clearly struggling with the abdomen injury that he suffered in Brisbane and the opening set would be decided by a tiebreak. The world number 92 played a clinical tiebreak with his forehand doing most of the damage, taking the tiebreak 7-3.

The crowd wouldn’t have to wait long for Kyrgios’ capitulation to unfold with the first break of the match coming from Fearnley at the beginning of the second set as the Brit took a 3-0 lead. There was maximum resolve from Kyrgios on serve but minimum threat on return with the Australian facing a double break deficit in the sixth game. More big serves saw Kyrgios save the break points but Fearnley wasn’t to be denied with the Brit holding his last two games to love to take a two set lead.

Things would look even more bleak for Kyrgios who berated his coaching team as he would go down an early break at 2-1. This time though the Australian would mount a mini-comeback as the crowd fully involved in the match and Kyrgios broke in the sixth game to level the set at 3-3. In the next game, Kyrgios released the showman in him as an underarm serve and behind the back shot helped to him to a love hold as he consolidated the break.

A lesson for Fearnley to learn was that he would need to know how to adapt to ferocious crowds and how to weather the storm. The Brit needed to learn that lesson with Kyrgios creating set point in the tenth game. Adapt and learn is what Fearnley did best as he weathered the storm and forced a third set tiebreak.

In the tiebreak, the Brit’s quality came through as he won seven of the nine points to secure victory over Kyrgios, who most likely has played his last singles match at the Australian Open.

 

Jacob Fearnley v Arthur Cazaux H2H & Match Fundamentals

Jacob Fearnley v Arthur Cazaux H2H: First Meeting      
Australian Open 2025 Melbourne, Australia    
Hard (O)   Prize Money: A$200,000
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Fearnley will now face French rising star Arthur Cazaux for a place in the third round of the Australian Open.

 

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (Last 52 Weeks)

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H2H: Jacob Fearnley (WR 92) Arthur Cazaux (WR 78)   
Tournament Previous Best N/A Fourth Round (2024)
1st Serve % 60.9 57.7
Service Games Won % 83.1 82.8
Break Points Saved % 62.8 64
2nd Serve Return Points Won % 53.3 47.5
Break Points Converted % 35.4 39.8

Fearnley will aim to continue his efficient serving against an opponent who has been clinical on return over the last year.

 

 

Playing styles and prediction

Cazaux had a very promising year last year having reached the final or better at two Challenger events as well as beating the likes of Lorenzo Musetti and Ben Shelton on the main tour. The Frenchman still has more to give though and he will be hoping he can add some consistency to his exciting style of play.

Fearnley will continue to dictate play on the forehand and will aim to finish the points off at the net. Meanwhile Cazaux will use the forehand to dictate play on the baseline as he will aim to neutralize Fearnley’s forehand with depth and spin. This will be a good test for Fearnley but the Brit should have enough quality to come through this tricky contest and reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.

Prediction: Fearnley in four sets.  

 

 

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