By Tony Fairbairn
- Jacob Fearnley [Q] def Benjamin Bonzi 7-6(6) 2-6 6-4
- Fearnley v Alexander Zverev [1] | H2H: Zverev leads 1-0
MIAMI, USA – Jacob Fearnley overcame a knee injury and Benjamin Bonzi to reach the second round in Miami where he will face top seed Alexander Zverev.
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Jacob Fearnley [Q] def Benjamin Bonzi 7-6(6) 2-6 6-4
Jacob Fearnley overcame a knee injury and Benjamin Bonzi to reach the second round in Miami, earning his first win at Masters 1000 level. The opening set was a hard-fought set of tennis with both players serving aggressively, looking to attack the net with Bonzi looking the more likely to gain the break of serve.
Despite physical limitations, Fearnley did well to ride the storm from Bonzi with neither player able to create a break point opportunity. There was nothing to separate the players with the opening set being decided by a tiebreak. It was an epic tiebreak which saw Fearnley produce some good creativity from the baseline to earn the early mini-break at 3-2. Despite losing the mini-break, Fearnley stepped up his game when it mattered most to take the tiebreak 8-6.
In the second set, Bonzi survived an early wave of pressure from the Brit to maintain control of the set. The British number three had a break point opportunity in a long fourth game but couldn’t take it as he was starting to physically struggle. An efficient Bonzi managed to take his break point opportunities, to break twice and close out the second set in 37 minutes.
The third set saw Fearnley having to dig deep as he was broken in the game by an aggressive Bonzi. There was an immediate response from the Brit as some loose errors from Bonzi allowed Fearnley to immediately break back. As the set went on, both players were effective and efficient on serve with neither player lacking on confidence on their first serve.
Despite being under the most pressure on serve, Fearnley produced his best level when it mattered most as the Brit broke for the match to seal a landmark win and a place in the second round.
Jacob Fearnley [Q] v Alexander Zverev [1] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jacob Fearnley [Q] v Alexander Zverev [1] | H2H: Zverev leads 1-0 |
| Miami Open 2025 | Miami, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money $35,260 |
| First on Stadium (16:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Fearnley will now face Alexander Zverev in a rematch from their third round clash at the Australian Open.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (Last 52 Weeks)
| H2H: | Jacob Fearnley (WR 83) | Alexander Zverev (WR 2) |
| Tournament Previous Best | N/A | Final (2018) |
| 1st Serve % | 60.7 | 70 |
| Service Games Won % | 81.6 | 89.4 |
| Break Points Saved % | 60.3 | 67.6 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 53.3 | 52.6 |
| Break Points Converted % | 39.1 | 36.6 |
Fearnley will aim to continue his efficiency on return against the aggressive and precise serving of Zverev.
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Playing styles and prediction
After reaching his third Grand Slam final at the Australian Open, Zverev has been disappointing to say the least. The German has had a trio of early exits and has failed to capitalise on Jannik Sinner’s absence from the tour. Now Zverev will aim for some improved form and confidence as there is still time for the German to earn his place as world number one.
Fearnley will aim to be precise on serve as he will look to be consistent on the backhand side while finishing points off at the net. Meanwhile Zverev will be aggressive on the forehand and will need to have a good serving day. This is a good opportunity for Fearnley to take advantage of a vulnerable Zverev but the German may still have too much quality in this close encounter.
Prediction: Zverev in three sets.
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