Grand Slam debutant Jacob Fearnley may have home advantage in his Wimbledon second-round match against Novak Djokovic, but that may not suffice against the seven-time champion.
The Serbian laid down a marker in his dominant tournament-opening victory over Vit Kopriva, while the Briton's straight-sets win over Alejandro Moro Canas was not as straightforward as it appeared.
Match preview
© Reuters
Despite his inexperience at this level, Fearnley came through his first-round match commendably, securing a battling 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (12) win over Spain's Canas.
Aided by his ability to reel off aces, the 22-year-old wild card avoided a tournament-opening exit at the Championships on Tuesday.
However, Djokovic asks different questions of the Briton, who faces the biggest match of his embryonic career against the seven-time champion in round two.
All things considered, though, Fearnley has had a beyond satisfactory grass-court swing this year, underlined by success in the Challenger circuit in Nottingham last month, although that was followed by a disappointing first-round exit in Eastbourne.
Nevertheless, the world No. 277 hopes to play without fear in what should be considered a David and Goliath contest at the Championships; this one may not go David's way.
© Reuters
Questions were asked about Djokovic's knee in the lead-up to his Wimbledon return, and the 24-time Grand Slam champion emphatically answered them with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win over his Czechia's Kopriva, who was appearing at a Slam for the second time after this year's Australian Open and was making his debut at the Championships.
The No. 2 seed's movement was not inhibited by the surgery that threatened to prevent him from pushing for a record-equalling eighth title at the oldest Slam, as he showed the admirable court coverage that helped to elevate him to the top of men's tennis.
While it is too soon to crown him champion again, Tuesday's appearance on Centre Court slightly allayed fears that last year's runner-up could struggle early on.
Having seen Jannik Sinner drop a set in his first-round win over Yannick Hanfmann and witnessed Carlos Alcaraz intermittently struggle to impose himself against debutant Mark Lajal before the Estonian third-set dip, Djokovic has got off to a strong start at this year's competition.
Aided by being on the seemingly less complicated side of the draw, the No. 2 seed aims to build on Tuesday's victory, keen to reach his peak level by the tournament's second week.
Tournament so far
Jacob Fearnley:
First round: vs. Alejandro Moro Canas 7-5 6-4 7-6 [12]
Novak Djokovic:
First round: vs. Vit Kopriva 6-1 6-2 6-2
Head To Head
Both players have unsurprisingly never met on the ATP Tour before Thursday's second-round match.
Fearnley hit eight aces in his first-round match and racked up 24 winners from his forehand wing, and it remains to be seen if both prove as effective against Djokovic.
The Serb was 18-6 in 2024 heading into Wimbledon, a slide by the seven-time champion's lofty standards, who remains without a title this season.
We say: Djokovic to win in three sets
While some home fans will wish for a shock result, Djokovic's dominant start highlighted the 37-year-old's ambition to end his drawn-out wait for a title this year. Despite Fearnley's timely aces and an admirable forehand wing, his more experienced opponent is not expected to stumble in Thursday's second-round encounter.
