Fearnley’s Eastbourne call rewarded by Wimbledon comeback

Jacob Fearnley beat Alex Michelsen 3-6 4-6 6-2 6-3 6-2 at Wimbledon after withdrawing from Eastbourne with a back problem. The Scot’s recovery and result gave immediate support to his choice to prioritise fitness for the Grand Slam.

The 24-year-old has had a disrupted spell after climbing as high as 49 in the rankings and later dropping to 159 amid injury setbacks, including a rib problem that kept him out for two months. Against Michelsen, who is ranked 113 places above him, Fearnley turned the match around by finding a stronger level over the final three sets.

His next test is Jaume Munar, a 29-year-old Spaniard ranked two places above Michelsen. Munar reached the second round with a straight-sets win over Francisco Cerundolo, making this a difficult follow-up for Fearnley despite the confidence gained from his opener.

For Fearnley, the key question is whether the physical resilience shown in a long five-set match can carry into another demanding contest. His Wimbledon run is already a positive step, but Munar’s consistency and recent form should offer a clearer measure of where Fearnley stands after his injury concerns.