Fearnley has been making so rapid progress over the past 15 months, it’s easy to forget how his lack of experience has maintained its highest level.
More than a year ago, the former American college student ranked outside of the world’s leading 500 players.
He has since been in the top 50 in June after a stunning introduction to the ATP Tour.
Fearnley is used to drawing compelling names in the early days of the Grand Slam and has come over on some of the iconic courts in the game.
But his form has been compromised in recent months due to nerve tension, which has been particularly damaging to his serve.
When asked how he can solve this problem, Fearnley said: “I’m not quite sure. I wonder if it’s helpful to win a game even if I hit all these double faults – it’s more important than anything else.
“There are good days and bad days, but in recent games, the mistakes in doubles have been a problem.
“Next, I’ll play Zverev on another big court – a high-risk, high-tenested environment that I think putting myself in those situations would help.”
It was a long night, inevitable, as Fearnley and Bautista Agut ended up with the opening of 62 minutes until after 8pm local time.
When Fearnley used a larger variety in the second and third groups (moved the world 47th place to the surroundings – it received a reward.
Fearnley broke into the game early in the third game and closed with a relatively painful straight-down ending – just to help 37-year-old Bautista Agut expand the game.
But he resets admirably in the fourth set, landing more first innings and limiting double failures to cross the line.
Surviving the first round means Fearnley has now completed a series of wins in four Grand Slam tournaments.
“It’s a very tough game, and I know Roberto will keep me until the end.” The victory ended at about 11:15 pm local time.
