Fearnley beats Wawrinka on French Open debut

French Open 2025

Dates: 25 May-8 June Venue: Roland Garros

Coverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app

British number two Jacob Fearnley claimed his first win at the French Open with a straight-set victory over Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka.

Making his debut at Roland Garros, Fearnley edged a first-set tie-break before dominating the 2015 champion to win 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 6-2.

The Scot, who was three years old when Wawrinka made his French Open debut in 2005, needed just over two hours to move past the three-time major winner.

Wawrinka beat Novak Djokovic to lift the trophy in Paris ten years ago but the 40-year-old has since dropped to 138th in the world rankings.

Fearnley, meanwhile, had never played an ATP Tour match on clay before this year.

Fearnley was ranked outside of the world's top 500 just 12 months ago but the 23-year-old has risen rapidly up the rankings to a career-high of 55.

He will face either Christopher O'Connell of Australia or French 22nd seed Ugo Humbert in the second round.

After clinching the opening set via a tie-break, Fearnley broke early in the second and raced out to a 4-1 lead before serving the set out to love.

Wawrinka, who knocked Andy Murray out in the first round last year, dropped serve immediately in the third set but fought back to move level at 2-2 - much to the delight of the crowd on court 14.

However, their joy was short-lived as Fearnley quickly restored his lead and won four straight games to wrap up victory.

Fearnley has now won on his main draw debut at each of the three Grand Slams he has featured at so far - Wimbledon, the Australian Open and Roland Garros.