New Scottish tennis star to face Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon after epic victory

SCOTTISH hope lives on in the men’s singles at Wimbledon after the withdrawal of Andy Murray.

That’s because Jacob Fearnley of Edinburgh has just joined the 24-time Grand Slam singles champ in the 2nd round.

Fearnley faced Spanish qualifier Alejandro Moro Canas in the first round with a prime time match-up with Novak Djokovic the prize for the winner later this week.

And he duly delivered with a 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (14-12) win over the Spaniard which took 2 hours 47 minutes.

Both players missed match points in that dramatic final set tie breaker.

But it’s a huge win for the 22-year-old – who hit with Roger Federer at Wimbledon as a junior and has wins in the youth ranks against Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Fearnley said: “I have watched him on TV countless times and what he’s done for the sport is remarkable.

“It would be pretty daunting and amazing and weird to be across the net from him.

“He’s definitely one of my idols.

“If I could reach half of his level I’d be very happy.”

Fearnley and Djokovic were among the last four names to be drawn for the men‘s singles on Friday.

And as he sat there watching Fearnley confessed he didn’t know whether to be excited or SCARED!

He said: “There were only three more names to be called before Djokovic!

“I’ve been thinking all week about what draw I’d like to have had, I don’t have an answer.

“There’s perks to playing a huge guy and also playing someone lower in the rankings.

“I don’t know a lot about the guy that I’m playing but I know he’ll be good.”

Djokovic came through with a minimum of fuss against Via Kopriva of the Czech Republic by a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 scoreline.

Cam Norrie, whose father David is Scottish, is also in action today against Facundo Diaz Acosta of Argentina.

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