‘He knows what he’s doing’: Jacob Fearnley learns from Alexander Zverev mind games in US Open loss | US Open Tennis 2025

Even before Jacob Fearnley went into the Louis Armstrong stadium for his confrontation with Alexander Zverev Thursday evening in New York, the Mind Games had already started. In the accumulation of their second round match in the United States, the third seeded maintained Fearnley while waiting for more than 10 minutes before finally running for his match, where he beat Fearnley 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the third round.

Despite hard competition and the montage of flashes of his talent by trying to dominate the basic line with his forehand and to walk, Fearnley put an end to his first appearance of an American draw with another precious lesson against one of the best players in the world. During their 2 hours and 28 minutes on the ground, Zverev founded the Briton with his consistency, his solid coupling and his dominant portion, surpassing his more volatile opponent, giving so few points easily.

“I think it was quite obvious what I was trying to do – coming to the net and disturbing his rhythm – because I think he is very, very solid and that he will not give me much,” said Fearnley. “And then I was fluctuating obviously, and it is difficult to keep this level throughout the match. And I gave myself a chance, but I did not capitalize. Obviously, he is a great player, so I cannot be too disappointed, I suppose.”

This match also provided an overview of the game game that the best players sometimes implement against the lower -ranking opponents. Before each competition at the US Open, players must come together outside a corridor inside the Arthur Ashe stadium which leads to each court. When their names were called on the speaker, Fearnley immediately appeared at 6:50 p.m. He spent another 10 minutes waiting for his opponent quietly. Zverev was ordered for three times to appear for his match before his arrival.

When he was asked if he was irritated by the delay of his opponent, Fearnley hesitated before choosing his words carefully. He noted that the best players often moved at their own pace, which he learned for the first time before his match against Novak Djokovic in Wimbledon last year.

“I expected it in a way,” said Fearnley. “I mean, it was the same thing [against Zverev] In Australia, and he’s always like “I’m sorry for that”, but he knows what he does. It was the same with Novak in Wimbledon. They take their time, that is to say that I do not know if it is in the rules or not.

“I don’t really know what is the rule, I don’t do it. But … if they call me, I present myself, because I don’t necessarily know what will happen. But no, it is in his right to take his time. I expected it in a way. My trainer expected it. Each time I played him, he did the same thing.”

Fearnley is only 14 months old in his career as a professional player and the 24 -year -old is still gaining experience every week. In addition to its considerable potential, it has certain shortcomings to approach. After hitting 18 double faults in his first round victory in four sets against Roberto Bautista Agut, against Zverev, he hit 12 double faults, including many important points.

“In practice, I can sit there all day and do 100 seconds of service,” he said. “This is not a problem. But there is just something to see the lights, to see the courts, which becomes a little delicate. And also Alex Zverev on the other side of the net, and with this noise, this crowd, it is sometimes difficult.

“I will continue to work there but I will end up understanding it. I know there are a lot of players who have had similar things in the past, but they seemed to work and I am sure that I will do the same.”