HSBC Championships 2025: Jacob Fearnley eases into second round while Cam Norrie falls short to eighth seed Jakub Mensik

Just 12 months ago, Fearnley had freshly graduated from the Texas Christian University, was ranked outside the world’s top 500 and headed to the Lexus Nottingham Open to compete in qualifying stages, where he eventually went on to seal his maiden ATP Challenger title.

The Briton – who is supported by the LTA’s Pro Scholarship Programme presented by Lexus - has now added a further three ATP Challenger titles to his name, owns the highest win percentage in a season at Challenger level since 2011, and has achieved a career-high ranking of No.49 in the world following standout results at some of the tour’s biggest events.

“My time in college played a big factor for sure,” Fearnley added when asked what the biggest driver has been to his meteoric rise. "I work hard, I have an amazing group of people behind me. The LTA supports me massively.

“The key is that I work hard and everyone around me works hard.”

Today marked the British No.2’s first ever match at the HSBC Championships and its safe to say he looked comfortable from the off in front of the British crowd.

After a strong start to the match, the third game saw Fearnley catch sight of an early break point opportunity after the Aussie coughed up back-to-back double faults.

Staring at the chance to take control early on in the match, Fearnley smacked a forehand winner past Holt to edge ahead before riding the momentum to secure a 5-2 lead on his way to wrapping up the set in just 30 minutes.

Bolt made a brighter start to the second, tightening up on his service games to try and keep within touching distance of the 23-year-old.

The former Lexus Nottingham Open champion was strong on serve throughout the battle - winning 93% (28/30) of points behind his first serve across the match and avoided facing any break points.

Fearnley kept his foot on the gas pedal and at 4-4 turned up the intensity as he looked to wrap up a straight sets victory. After the Brit slipped on the first point, he then went on to fire home a couple of blistering forehands to draw the errors out of the world No.194.

Fearnley remained clinical during the crucial moments - winning all three of the break points he managed to create for himself as he dealt one final blow before going on secure victory as Holt netted a backhand.

The British star will now go on to face either qualifier Corentin Moutet or third seed Taylor Fritz who will arrive in peak form off the back of clinching the Boss Open title in Stuttgart.

Elsewhere, Norrie was bidding to make it a trio of British wins on day one, after Dan Evans upset seventh seed Frances Tiafoe in the opening match of the day but the 29-year-old couldn’t quite get over the line as he lost 7-6(6), 1-6, 6-1 to reigning Miami Open champion Mensik.

Neither player caught a glimpse of a break point in the opening set as we headed towards a tie-break which saw Norrie take a commanding 5-2 lead. However, with two set points having come and gone for the Brit, Mensik seized his opportunity as he took the final four points to wrap up the set. 

Despite taking a one set lead, the Czech teenager struggled to find his first serves in the second set - landing just 39% compared to 74% in the first.

Norrie looked to pounce on Mensik’s second serves - claiming 76% of return points on his way to clinching a double break lead and ultimately, the second set.

The 19-year-old took some time to re-group off court ahead of the decider and came out looking sharp. After fending off a break point on his opening service game of the third, the eighth seed kick-started his charge - reeling off the first five games on the bounce before Norrie had a chance to get a game on the board.

Looking to serve out his maiden win at the Queen’s Club, Mensik slammed down his 19th and 20th aces of the match to punch his ticket to the last 16.