🇬🇧 Fearnley Leads British Charge in Rome
Jacob Fearnley continued his impressive form at the Italian Open 2025, beating veteran Fabio Fognini in straight sets to move into the second round. The 23-year-old Brit clinched a 6-2, 6-3 victory and became the fifth British player to reach the next round in Rome.
🎾 Match Highlights: Fearnley vs Fognini
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Fearnley dropped his opening service game in both sets
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Broke Fognini’s serve three times to take the first set in just 34 minutes
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Came back from 3-1 down in the second set, winning five games in a row
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Closed the match in 1 hour and 21 minutes, sealing victory on his first match point
🙌 Special Moment Against a Legend
This match marked Fognini's final appearance at the Italian Open in Rome. The 37-year-old, who has been playing here since 2006, shared an emotional goodbye with fans.
“It was special sharing the court with Fognini,” said Fearnley. “Since I was a kid, I watched him play. It was truly an honour.”
Fognini, a clay court specialist, has eight ATP titles on clay, including the 2019 Monte Carlo Masters.
📢 Unique Atmosphere in Rome
During the match, the announcement of the new Pope brought a surreal moment to the court, capturing the crowd’s attention in Rome’s iconic setting.
“The Italian fans were amazing,” said Fearnley. “It was electric – one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever played in.”
🔜 What’s Next for Fearnley?
Fearnley will now face Italian favourite and 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini in the next round. It will be another tough test for the Brit, who has climbed to No. 57 in the ATP rankings after a breakout win over Tomas Machac in Madrid last month.
🇬🇧 Other British Stars in Action
Four more British players will step onto the courts on Friday, with all matches live on Sky Sports Tennis and NOW:
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Emma Raducanu – coming off a gritty three-set win over Maya Joint
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Jack Draper – ready to build on his strong form
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Cameron Norrie – enters as a lucky loser
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Sonay Kartal – looks to keep the British momentum going
📺 Watch the Italian Open Live
Catch all the matches, highlights, and expert analysis live on Sky Sports Tennis, Sky Sports+, NOW, and the Sky Sports app, until Sunday, May 18.
🧠Fearnley’s Reaction After the Win
“It was a tough match. I really had to dig deep,” Fearnley admitted.
“I knew I had to up my game. I told myself to stay composed even when I was down. I’m just happy I pulled through.”
