US Open 2026: Jacob Fearnley stages comeback to beat Martin Landaluce in five sets
• 3 minute read
Britain’s Jacob Fearnley staged an incredible comeback to defeat Martin Landaluce in five sets after the Spaniard served for the match twice.
Fearnley had trailed Landaluce by two sets to one and was 5-2 down in the fourth before coming back to defeat the world No.65 4-6, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.
The 25-year-old – who entered this week’s main draw as a lucky loser – has reached the second round in consecutive years and will now face 27th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Fearnley and Landaluce returned to Court 12 on Monday after their match was interrupted in the opening set on day one.
The young Spaniard managed to serve out the first set, but quickly found himself on the back foot as an invigorated Fearnley breezed through the second in just over 30 minutes and took a 3-1 lead in the third.
However, Landaluce would go on to win 10 of the next 13 games, and the match seemed to be out of reach for the British star at 5-2 down in the fourth set, struggling to recapture the rhythm on serve.
Staring down a defeat, Fearnley had the freedom to go down swinging, and the more shots he connected on, the more the pressure mounted on his opponent.
Fearnley broke Landaluce three times in a row, winning five straight games – finishing on the Spaniard’s fifth double fault of the set.
Momentum had completely shifted going into the fifth set and Fearnley steamrolled his way into the next round.
Landaluce managed to get one break back at 5-1 down, but on the second time of asking, Fearnley served out the match to love – sealing the win in four hours and 13 minutes.
Dart reaches second round for a third time
Fearnley was the second British star through to the second round on day two in New York after Harriet Dart’s victory over Peyton Stearns.
Dart battled back from a set and a break down to clinch a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win and book a meeting with 25th seed Marie Bouzkova.
The British star broke three times in the final set to clinch her first Grand Slam main draw victory of the 2026 season and equal her career-best run at Flushing Meadows.
“I feel like I controlled the situation really well today,” Dart said. “Even though I lost the first set, it felt like there were only a few points in it that I could turn it.
“I was able to handle everything that was thrown at me. I was really focused on the task at hand. I feel like I improved as a tennis player as a whole during that match.
“Every match here is incredibly tough. I know she’s (Bouzkova) an incredibly consistent player. I’ve had some battles with her previously, so I know what to expect.”
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