MADRID, SPAIN – Jacob Fearnley has made headlines at the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open by achieving the biggest win of his career, defeating 19th seed Tomas Machac in a thrilling three-set match. Fearnley, a British qualifier, showcased remarkable resilience and skill as he battled back after losing the first set, ultimately winning 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The match began with Machac asserting his dominance, breaking Fearnley early and racing to a 3-0 lead. The Czech player’s experience shone through as he closed out the first set in just 28 minutes, leaving Fearnley struggling to find his footing. Despite the rocky start, Fearnley remained determined, stating, "I was just trying to rally a bit at the start, trying to make him [make] some mistakes."
However, the turning point came in the second set when Fearnley saved three break points at 2-1, which seemed to boost his confidence. He adjusted his tactics, taking the ball earlier and breaking Machac in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead. Fearnley’s newfound aggression paid off as he leveled the match, winning the second set 6-3.
With momentum on his side, Fearnley stormed into the third set, breaking Machac in the opening game. He continued to pressure his opponent, breaking Machac again in the seventh game before closing out the match. Fearnley’s performance was a testament to his growing confidence and skill on the ATP Tour.
Next up for Fearnley is a challenging encounter with 15th seed Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian has been in impressive form, reaching the semi-finals in Miami and the quarter-finals in Monte-Carlo. Fearnley will need to be aggressive on the big points against Dimitrov, who is known for his clinical break point conversion. This matchup marks their first meeting, and Fearnley is eager to prove himself against a top-ranked player.
Meanwhile, the Madrid Open has seen other thrilling matches, with Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie also advancing to the third round. Draper, the fifth seed, defeated Tallon Griekspoor 6-3, 6-4, and is currently ranked sixth in the world. He expressed excitement about the current state of British men’s tennis, stating, "Jacob, someone my age, incredible player. The British public don’t really know much about him yet but he’s going to be, I think, one of the best players in the world."
Norrie, ranked 91st, also made his mark by defeating 26th seed Jiri Lehecka 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. He will face Gabriel Diallo in the next round, while Draper looks forward to a clash with Matteo Berrettini, the 30th seed.
In a surprising turn of events, Novak Djokovic, a three-time Madrid champion and seeded fourth, was eliminated from the tournament by Matteo Arnaldi, who won 6-3, 6-4. This defeat marks Djokovic's third consecutive loss, raising questions about his form as he struggles to capture his elusive 100th title.
Arnaldi, who expressed his admiration for Djokovic, said, "He’s my idol, he’s always been. I was just glad that I could play him. To play him at a stage like this was already a victory for me." He will now face Damir Dzumhur, who advanced by defeating Sebastian Baez.
As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more thrilling matches and potential upsets. The ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid is renowned for its high-stakes competition, and this year is no exception. With Fearnley, Draper, and Norrie all in the mix, British tennis is experiencing a resurgence, promising an exciting future for the sport.
Looking ahead, Fearnley’s upcoming match against Dimitrov will be a significant test of his abilities and resilience. As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on the young Brit to see if he can continue his impressive run and make a name for himself on the ATP Tour.
