Jacob Fearnley to break into world’s top 100 as Britain’s latest star takes off

Britain’s Jacob Fearnley will break into the world’s top 100 after winning a fourth ATP Challenger Tour title of the year with victory over Harold Mayot at the Orleans Open.

The 23-year-old, who was born in Scotland, came through 6-3 7-6 (7-5) against Frenchman Mayot on Sunday.

Fearnley only left Texas Christian University in the United States a few months ago, but had climbed 500 places in the rankings to 126 in just three months after also winning Challenger titles in Nottingham, Lincoln (USA) and Rennes.

When the men’s singles list is updated on Monday, Fearnley who had played Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon, where he took a set off the seven-time champion on Centre Court during his second-round defeat is set to be ranked 98th.

Britain’s Davis Cup captain Leon Smith had spoken of Fearnley’s potential following the team’s matches in Manchester earlier this month.

“He has gone really quickly. It is really impressive,” Smith said. “The way he is going, he will be part of (GB) squads in the future for sure.”

“It is one thing going up the rankings, but you also see his quality. You look at the players that he’s been beating.”