How do you beat Novak Djokovic? It is an age-old riddle most have failed to answer at Wimbledon.
The seven-time champion cruised into the second round yesterday for the loss of five games just four weeks after surgery on a torn meniscus, an issue which did not seem to trouble him.
Lying in wait for him in the second round on Wednesday is British No13 Jacob Fearnley, fresh out of college and having burst onto the tennis scene this summer.
The 22-year-old, ranked outside the top 500 last month but now up to 277th and rapidly rising, won the challenge event in Nottingham and was another late British winner last night, defeating Alejandro Moro Canas 7-5, 6-4, 7-6.
Asked how he planned to overcome Djokovic, he said simply: "That's a good question. I don't think many people have the answer to that.
"I have no idea. I've watched so many videos of him. It doesn't look like there are many flaws in his game. I'm going to just try and enjoy it, put my game out on the court and see what happens.
"I don't think there are many tactics going into the match. It's going to be a little bit intimidating but it's a match I'm super excited for. It's the biggest match of my career so far. Just to be able to share the court with a player like that will be really special."
Fearnley is among a crop of rising British tennis stars, many of whom have gone down the college route in the United States taken so successfully by Cameron Norrie.
The Edinburgh-born player is all too aware that his Wimbledon journey may come to a halt tomorrow but he has been relishing his rapid climb up
the world rankings. "It's a bit crazy," said Fearnley, whose first main experience at Wimbledon was acting as a practice partner for Roger Federer in 2018.
"Obviously, it's come very unexpectedly. I had a great month. Just to play on the Wimbledon courts was a great feeling.
"To come out with a win was really special. I can't really describe what I'm feeling right now."
