Jacob Fearnley reaches first ATP Tour-level quarter-final at Queen's
Jacob Fearnley dished out another French lesson as he reached a first career ATP Tour-level quarter-final at Queen's Club.
The British number two beat volatile qualifier Corentin Moutet 6-3. 2-6, 6-2 at the HSBC Championships.
In doing so, Fearnley extended his remarkable, perfect record against French players to 17 wins from 17 matches.
He said: 'I'm very happy to be in my first quarter-final, it's even better to do it here in the UK. It's really special for me, I've dreamed of these moments since I was a young boy.
'I tried to stick to my game plan and be aggressive. I did that better in the third set and the result speaks for itself.'
Fearnley wrapped up a controlled first set with a double-ace finish, while madcap Moutet got a ticking-off from umpire Adel Nour for chucking his racket.
However, the momentum shifted quickly when three double-faults from the home player gave Moutet an early break in the second.
But Fearnley reset well in the decider, breaking Moutet with a backhand winner down the line, prompting the fiery 26-year-old to whack a ball high over the stands and earn a long-overdue warning from the chair.
A diving backhand volley secured a double break and Fearnley kept his head as Moutet lost his – bickering with the umpire and the crowd – to wrap up victory in just over two hours.
Fearnley will play a fellow 23-year-old, Czech world number 30 Jiri Lehecka, in the last eight.
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