Jacob Fearnley, Britain’s new kid on the block, takes a set off Novak Djokovic

Remember the name Jacob Fearnley. Despite the 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 loss against seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic, there is much to be excited about for the 22-year-old Scot.

It is often too easy to make comparisons in sport and, with Fearnley speaking so warmly of watching Sir Andy Murray win his first Wimbledon title as 12-year-old at home on the sofa, there could have been a sense his centre court singles debut against a giant of tennis like Djokovic would make for an apt opening act.

Fearnley, however, showed a calmness and steely determination, as well as an ability to read Djokovic’s serve, and winning a set greatly exceeded the expectations of many.

A source of knowledge on Djokovic in preparation for the match was in fact Fearnley’s boyhood hero. He was delighted to have received some pointers from Sir Andy, via the Lawn Tennis Association’s men’s coach Mark Hilton. “I know that Andy said some words to Mark to give to me, which was nice,” Fearnley said.

“The stuff he said actually helped a lot. Not unsurprisingly because he’s played him so many times. That was really nice of him.

“I don’t know if he watched it but it was awesome that he was even thinking about the match.”

This performance was nurtured at Texas Christian University, in Fort Worth, the alma mater of Cameron Norrie. It would seem those years out of the spotlight, yet winning the US Collegiate National Championships last month, has greatly benefited the affable young player.

In his Edinburgh meets Mid Atlantic American lilt, he explained he was proud of his effort.

I’m really proud of my effort,” Fearnley said. “Obviously, a little bit disappointed to come up with a loss, but I was playing the greatest tennis player of all time on Centre Court, Wimbledon, so it’s very difficult to be too disappointed.”

The Scot may have perspective over his loss against Djokovic, but he is also laser-focused on the future insisting that after a family meal he would let his Wimbledon experience “fizzle out” ahead of playing in some Challenger Tour events Stateside before aiming to qualify for the US Open.

Djokovic won the first two sets in a relatively regulation manner, and by the third it looked like the writing was on the wall for Fearnley.

Yet in the third set, the world No 277 took the match to the 24-time major winner. Fearnley went 5-4 up thanks partly to a terrific break point save with a forehand winner. A fumble at the net from Djokovic, whose knee only started to look troublesome in the later stages, saw Fearnley clinch the third set 7-5.

There is good reason Djokovic has been dubbed the “bionic man” by John McEnroe, and he spoke of how little he felt the knee that ended his French Open and was operated on last month. “I do feel that has an impact on my movement a little bit in terms of the speed. It’s not yet there where I want it to be,” Djokovic said.

“The longer I stay in the tournament, I think the better the chances that my movement will improve.

“I don’t worry about reinjuring my knee. I don’t have time nor energy to think about it, nor do I think it’s worth it. I wouldn’t be here (if I thought that)- not just myself, but the whole team - that I’m ready to compete at this level.”

Fearnley was two points from taking the fourth set, but Djokovic dug in to snatch two break points and went on to take the set and the match.

In just over three hours, the crowd at SW19 saw Fearnley’s ability and doggedness. He is not just part of Andy Murray’s legacy but could be a part of a bright future for British tennis too.

Djokovic sees off challenge from Fearnley: As it happened

05:07 PM BST

More from Djokovic

04:59 PM BST

Djokovic reacts

04:49 PM BST

WATCH: Djokovic books his place in the third round

04:38 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 5-7 Djokovic

That last serve by Fearnley was the clearest example you will ever see of match tension taking hold of a player. He had to get the ball into play but he didn’t.

Backhand error by Fearnley and an ace move Djokovic to 30-0. A forehand return goes long by Fearnley to give Djokovic two match points.

And he only needs one. A forehand winner to finish and it is GAME SET MATCH DJOKOVIC!

04:34 PM BST

Fearnley 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 5-6 Djokovic*

Into the business end of the set now, one break, either way, could decide it and it’s Djokovic with break point.

Fearnley double fault. That second serve was well long. He went for broke and got it all wrong.

Djokovic to serve for the match next.

04:29 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 5-5 Djokovic

Djokovic forehand into the net, 15-30. Timely ace down the T by Djokovic. He goes down the T again and Fearnley’s return goes wide.

Djokovic forehand winner to finish the game and see off that little scare.

04:24 PM BST

Fearnley 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 5-4 Djokovic*

Lovely forehand winner off the back foot by Fearnley and he holds to love. Brilliant play.

04:24 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 4-4 Djokovic

Fearnley is doing everything he can to apply pressure on the Djokovic serve but the seven-time champion keeps his cool to keep up with him.

04:20 PM BST

‘Fearnley so much more than a Murray opening act’

It is so easy to make comparisons in sport and with Fearnley speaking so warmly of watching Sir Andy Murray win his first Wimbledon title as 12 year-old at home on the sofa there could have been a sense his centre court singles debut against a giant of tennis like Djokovic would make for a feel good but ultimately carved apart opening act for the Murray brothers doubles match later.

This player showed he meant business in how he had Djokovic flustered at the net at the end of the third set and as he tried to build momentum in the fourth.

The crowd grew more and more rapturous and gave Fearnley a standing ovation at the end of the third set. A sweet moment came when after the umpire admonished the crowd for shouts of “C’mon Jacob” during play he was a lot less stern when the call of support came from a very young voice. Calls of “You can beat him” have now begun in this fourth set.

He may be two sets to one down but Fearnley has proved there is further call for British tennis to be hopeful and not to mention the wonderful legacy Murray has created for this generation.

04:19 PM BST

Fearnley 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 4-3 Djokovic*

Whatever happens from here, Fearnley can be delighted with his performance. Better ranked players than him have wilted against Djokovic in the past. His display has belied his lowly ranking. He looks like a top 100 player at the very least.

And he holds to 30 after an unreturned serve.

04:14 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 3-3 Djokovic

Confidence is flowing out of Fearnley. He overpowers Djokovic with a backhand and finishes with a forehand winner, 15-30. Djokovic double fault, two break points for Fearnley. He has to take it.

He nets a forehand on the first. Djokovic overhead winner on the second. Deuce. Could that be the turning point?

Djokovic digs up and with a flicked forehand winner.

04:08 PM BST

Fearnley 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 3-2 Djokovic*

A shake of the fist from Fearnley as he holds again with a serve and volley winner. Looked like peak Tim Henman there.

04:06 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 2-2 Djokovic

Three aces in a row by Djokovic and a forehand error by Fearnley equals a love hold in just over a minute.

04:04 PM BST

Fearnley 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 2-1 Djokovic*

Speedy service hold to 15 by Fearnley as he wrong-foots Djokovic with a forehand winner. He is playing so well at the moment.

04:02 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 1-1 Djokovic

Djokovic is in a bit of a funk here but Fearnley lets him off the hook with a couple of loose forehands.

The longer he keeps Djokovic out there, the better his chances of winning.

03:55 PM BST

Fourth Set: Fearnley 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 1-0 Djokovic*

Bit of frustration from Djokovic at the end of the set as he speaks to the umpire about someone in the crowd.

Djokovic is going through his full repertoire of histrionics. He gestures animatingly to his support box then makes a weird noise.

Nevertheless, his antics don’t put off Fearnley, who holds serve with an ace.

03:47 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 4-6, 7-5 Djokovic

Slice of luck for Fearnley when his return clips the net and drops short on Djokovic’s side, 30-30.

If Djokovic is feeling tight, now is the time for Fearnley to strike. Set point Fearnley after a cat and mouse rally ends with Djokovic netting a backhand.

Djokovic forehand wide, FEARNLEY TAKES THE SET!!

03:44 PM BST

Fearnley 3-6, 4-6, 6-5 Djokovic*

Full credit to Fearnley as he guarantees himself a tiebreak with a hold to 15. He would have taken that at the start of the set for sure.

03:42 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 4-6, 5-5 Djokovic

Fearnley continues to go after his shots but must get the balance right between aggression and control. Three errors on his forehand side allow Djokovic to escape.

03:34 PM BST

Fearnley 3-6, 4-6, 5-4 Djokovic*

Back-to-back errors by Fearnley puts him in trouble at 0-30. Unreal anticipation from Djokovic to lift a lob over Fearnley and the Briton nets, 15-40.

All out attack by Fearnley to save the first break point with a forehand winner. Can he save the second? Yes, he can!

A backhand volley winner does the trick after he does well to read Djokovic’s backhand pass.

And he holds with a forehand winner. Gusty play from Fearnley.

03:29 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 4-6, 4-4 Djokovic

Djokovic gets back on track with a hold to 30. He will want to get this wrapped up as soon as possible.

03:24 PM BST

Fearnley 3-6, 4-6, 4-3 Djokovic*

Big game for Fearnley now. Has to hold here because Djokovic will be all over him.

A double fault gives Djokovic a 30-40 but Fearnley saves break point with a calmly hit backhand volley winner.

And Fearnley sees out the danger to hold.

03:21 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 4-6, 3-3 Djokovic

Shot of the day from Fearnley as he runs around his backhand and hits a forehand winner down the line, 0-30. Djokovic pulls it back to 30-30 but he can do nothing about a brilliant running backhand pass by Fearnley, 30-40.

Fearnley forehand return into the net, deuce. He’s angry with himself at that. He composes himself and Djokovic makes another forehand error to give up a break point.

Cagey rally, Fearnley keeps his head and Djokovic loses his as the wind picks and his backhand goes into the net.

Fearnley gets the break back! Well played young man!

03:14 PM BST

Fearnley 3-6, 4-6, 2-3 Djokovic*

Djokovic is making his move. He pulls Fearnley to deuce after the Briton was 40-15 up. He earns a break point when Fearnley’s forehand floats wide.

Djokovic then pounces on the short ball by Fearnley and stretches his opponent with a series of forehands before Fearnley’s defensive backhand goes long.

Big roar from Djokovic as he breaks. A bit over the top I think. But he won’t care, he is marching towards the third round.

03:10 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 4-6, 2-2 Djokovic

Fearnley has struggled all day to work out the Djokovic and the Serbian reels off another love hold.

That is the one area where the Briton has disappointed today.

03:09 PM BST

Fearnley 3-6, 4-6, 2-1 Djokovic*

Back-to-back by Fearnley to start the game and he holds serve to love after forcing a couple of errors from Djokovic.

03:06 PM BST

‘Wimbledon will be Wimbledon’

As we all know the Championships are one of the most quintessentially British events sporting or otherwise and so the crowd have opted for “c’mon Jacob” - Fearnley’s full Christian name and what he answers to on this side of the pond rather than his American moniker “Jake”. Fitting for this tournament despite the extra syllable to holler! The cheers of “Jacob” grew as he battled to remain in the second set at 4-5 down before Djokovic did what he does best with to go two sets up. However, the Scot is starting this third set with a literal spring in his step.

The transatlantic influence can be felt in the confidence Fearnley brings to facing one of the all-time greats of the sport. The Scot has spoken openly about his college years in Texas as being invaluable preparation including winning a National Championship, which is a huge achievement and although he is down that experience (along with his storied junior career coming up alongside Jannik Sinner and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz who he beat back then) can be seen in how he looked frustrated when he was 3-5 down in the second set.

Despite the growing affection for Fearnley, Djokovic’s unique on court charisma and grit are gaining him plenty of applause. A seven-time Wimbledon champion is due that.

03:04 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 4-6, 1-1 Djokovic

Djokovic continues to move serenely through his serves games. Just the one break point faced in the match.

02:59 PM BST

Third Set: Fearnley 3-6, 4-6, 1-0 Djokovic*

Classy from Djokovic to applaud a lovely drop volley winner from Fearnley, 15-15. And the whole of Centre applauds when Fearnley holds serve.

02:52 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 4-6 Djokovic

Hmmmmm. Double fault by Djokovic makes it 15-30. Door opens slightly for Fearnley perhaps...

Frustration for Fearnley after getting on top in the rally he nets a forehand. That was pressure.

Set point Djokovic after an unreturned serve. And ace to take it.

Clinical.

02:48 PM BST

Fearnley 3-6, 4-5 Djokovic*

Djokovic wants to get this done now it seems but credit to Fearnley, who shakes off the disappointment of a few loose errors and holds.

02:45 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 3-5 Djokovic

The atmosphere has noticeably changed on Centre. It was hopeful to start the match but now the spectators know how this match will end.

Djokovic holds to love.

02:40 PM BST

Fearnley 3-6, 3-4 Djokovic*

Problems for Fearnley as he slips to 0-30. A backhand long by Fearnley gives Djokovic two break points, 15-40.

Backhand into the net and Djokovic breaks. The Serbian didn’t do much aside from making himself very tough to break through and Fearnley crumbled.

02:36 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 3-3 Djokovic

I think that took Djokovic not much over 60 seconds to hold to love. Efficient!

02:34 PM BST

Fearnley 3-6, 3-2 Djokovic*

Much like the first, Fearnley is playing with real confidence and belief. Can he keep it up or will Djokovic make his move again?

02:32 PM BST

‘A diverse bunch in the Royal Box’

Djokovic may have taken the first set but there is plenty of British and international support in the Royal Box as Fearnley gained animated cheers after going 2-1 up in the second set. Also, to be a fly amongst those most coveted of seats in SW19 as today it is a rather eclectic bunch including Lord Coe, Australian cricketer Pat Cummins and American-British author and journalist Bill Bryson are joined by the nation’s favourite action man Bear Grylls.

On a more poignant note, many have been thinking of the All England Club’s patron, the Princess of Wales who doesn’t just bring charm and glamour but a genuine passion for tennis and the growth of the game. There has been speculation whether she will attend Wimbledon due to her cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, sitting in the front row of the Royal Box giving Fearnley hearty applause are avid tennis fans and parents of the Princess, Carole and Mike Middleton. The Middletons are making a rare public appearance since their daughter Catherine’s cancer diagnosis was announced.

02:31 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 2-2 Djokovic

Double fault by Djokovic, 15-30. He throws his arms out in frustration. Great return by Fearnley and Djokovic nets a backhand on the stretch, deuce.

Big moment for Fearnley. Can he seize the moment...

Djokovic backhand into the net. Break point Fearnley. Cries of ‘come on Jacob’ from the crowd. Djokovic silences them with an ace down the T. Brutal.

Fearnley forehand long and Djokovic sees out the danger to hold.

02:21 PM BST

Fearnley 3-6, 2-1 Djokovic*

Backhand volley winner and an ace to finish the game by Fearnley. His head hasn’t dropped and he is putting up stern resistance.

02:19 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6, 1-1 Djokovic

Djokovic continuing to look very comfortable. He’s covered 820.7m while Fearnley has run 891.7m.

The Briton is having to work very hard to stay with Djokovic but this is a competitive match at the moment.

02:14 PM BST

Second Set: Fearnley 3-6, 1-0 Djokovic*

What Fearnley needs to do is forget about what happened at the end of the first set and reset.

And to his credit, he does that. Three winners in a row and he holds serve.

02:10 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-6 Djokovic

Ace by Djokovic makes it 30-0. Fearnley return wide, three set points.

Djokovic forehand winner to take the set. The seven-time champ leads on Centre with minimum fuss.

02:10 PM BST

‘Will it be “come on Jacob” or “come on Jake”?’

Five years ago, Novak Djokovic probably would have been on the end of a lot more boos facing a plucky young Scot such as Fearnley. So far, the reception has been warm towards both showing how the Serb has become a Centre Court darling from his former pantomime villain persona, particularly with his warm remarks towards the Championships this year. There was a swell in emotion towards the 22-year-old when he drew level at 3-3 in this first set.

The question for the British fans here on Centre Court is how do you shout for him in encouragement. It is not as simple as “c’mon Tim!” or “c’mon Andy” as in his native Edinburgh, Fearnely is known as Jacob but during his highly successful US collegiate career at Texas Christian University (also alma mater of Cameron Norrie), he was known as Jake. It may be easier to go with the American version…

02:07 PM BST

Fearnley 3-5 Djokovic*

We’re entering the business end of the set. Scoreboard pressure on Fearnley. If he drops serve here, Djokovic can serve for the set.

Longest rally of the match, patient play by both players before Fearnley spots the space and places a backhand winner down the line, 15-15. Great shot. Crowd loved that.

Miscue by Fearnley, sliced approach by Djokovic and Fearnley beats him with a backhand pass, 30-15.

But a couple of errors give Djokovic a break point, 30-40. And like night follows day, Djokovic takes his chance when Fearnley slices a backhand into the tramlines.

Djokovic breaks!

02:02 PM BST

Fearnley* 3-4 Djokovic

You can see Djokovic is mixing things up, giving different looks to Fearnley, a dropshot here, an angled backhand there. He wants to work out what the Briton is uncomfortable doing and seize on it when it counts.

Djokovic holds to 15.

01:58 PM BST

Fearnley 3-3 Djokovic*

Fearnley is enjoying himself at the moment. He’s getting 71 per cent of first serves into play and when he does he’s winning the point every time.

He gets a slice of luck when Djokovic’s backhand return clips the net and the ball bounces in the tramlines but he’s earned it.

01:54 PM BST

Fearnley* 2-3 Djokovic

Deft touch in the forecourt by Djokovic to hold serve to 15. The serve is dominating this match at the moment.

01:52 PM BST

Fearnley 2-2 Djokovic*

Early days of course but Fearnley has acquitted himself very well so far. He holds here to 15 with Djokovic’s struggles continuing.

Can he make any inroads on the Djokovic serve?

01:46 PM BST

Fearnley* 1-2 Djokovic

First love hold of the match for Djokovic is completed with an ace. The Serbian is still sporting his grey knee support on the right leg.

01:43 PM BST

Fearnley 1-1 Djokovic*

To settle the nerves Fearnley will be desperate to get some first serve into play early. Get the confidence. Djokovic won’t know much about him so it could take him a while to work out Fearnley’s patterns on serve.

Three unreturned serves by Djokovic makes it 40-0 for Fearnley and he gets a warm round of applause when he finishes the game with an ace down the T.

Good start!

01:41 PM BST

First Set: Jacob Fearnley* 0-1 Novak Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Fearnley won the coin toss and he opts to receive first. That is a bold choice.

He gets his first point of the match when Djokovic nets a backhand, 15-15. Djokovic volley winner makes it 40-15.

And the Serbian sees out the game with a vintage backhand winner down the line.

The finish to this game was ominous for the Briton...

01:35 PM BST

Here we go!

01:33 PM BST

Fearnley keen to build on his performances on the grass

01:26 PM BST

Biggest moment of Fearnley’s life coming up!

01:22 PM BST

Big match for this man later

01:16 PM BST

De Minaur completes the job

De Minaur is safely through to the third round and completing a 6-2, 6-2, 7-5 victory over Munar.

He says in his post match interview that he intends to “shower and cool down” before heading over to Court 1 to watch Boulter, who has just started her match against Dart.

You can follow that match here.

01:10 PM BST

This is very nice: Raducanu and Kartal aged nine and having a great rally

01:03 PM BST

Djokovic gets some help to warm up

12:51 PM BST

A special guest could watching Fearnley vs Djokovic

12:38 PM BST

De Minaur in a hurry

The Austrian ninth seed is seemingly in no mood to mess about on Court 3.

He leads Jaume Munar 6-2, 6-2, 4-1. If he finishes off the Spaniard in the next 10 minutes he might make it to Court 1 in time to watch his girlfriend Katie Boulter in action.

12:28 PM BST

Which of these is your favourite?

12:19 PM BST

Disappointment for Miyazaki

We have our first double bagel of the tournament and unfortunately, it was handed to Britain’s Yuriko Miyazaki by 14th seed Daria Kasatkina. Kasatkina with an almost apologetic wave to the crowd.

12:05 PM BST

Fearnley on Murray

11:47 AM BST

Who is Jacob Fearnley?

• Ranked 277 in the world

• He has never played at a grand slam

• His career prize money is $66,611

• He plays right-handed

• His idol is Andy Murray

11:32 AM BST

Day Four: Fearnley vs Djokovic

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s coverage from Wimbledon with the main focus here being on Centre Court where Novak Djokovic faces Great Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.

Fearnley will play in front of the biggest crowd of his career when he steps on the court to play the seven-time champion.

Fearnley earned his place in the second round after beating Spanish qualifier Alejandro Moro Canas on Tuesday. The British No 13 was given a wild card into Wimbledon after winning the Nottingham Open last month, his maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour.

The 22-year-old is well aware of the challenge he faces but is determined to enjoy the moment. “Playing Djokovic in the second round, after you’ve had a round to ease in, gives me a little bit more confidence and less nerves going into it,” he said.

“How do I beat him? I don’t think many people have the answer to that! I have no idea. It doesn’t look like there’s many flaws in his game. I’m going to just try and enjoy it, put my game out on the court and see what happens.”

Djokovic came through his first round safely, beating Vit Kopriva of the Czech Republic in one hour and 58 minutes.

“For an opening match, I couldn’t ask for a better start,” he said. “Obviously started a little bit more cautious, I would say. I didn’t really maybe go for certain shots 100 per cent in terms of, like, the far balls at the first set.“… I felt like as the match progressed, I moved better. Those couple points I think when I broke him in the second set, I did one slide. That was the first slide of the grass court season for me. I haven’t done it even in a practice week. So that was a great test.”