Fearnley tames Moutet to reach first ATP quarter-final

Be honest. A year ago, had you heard of current British No 2 Jacob Fearnley?

- KIERAN JACKSON

The 23-year-old from Edinburgh, a product of Texas Christian University's impressive tennis programme, travelled back to Britain for the grass court season last June ranked a lowly 525 in the world. Even he would not have forecast the 12 months ahead.

In fact, his big break - a seven-match surge to victory at the challenger-level Nottingham Trophy - almost didn't even get going. He only made the qualifying draw as an alternate and won his first match narrowly in a final-set tie-break. But Fearnley has not rested on his laurels, capitalising on his big break at some speed.

And the Fearnley train continued at pace at Queen's Club yesterday with another new milestone: a first ATP tour quarterfinal. Dressed in all-black - a curious choice you might say, given the 32C sunshine in west London - the Scot rallied and kept his head above the wizardry, tomfoolery and profanity of Corentin Moutet to seal a last-eight berth in three sets, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.

"I'm very happy to be in my first quarter-final and it's even better to do it here in London," he said, on-court, afterwards."I've dreamed of those moments, to be standing here on this amazing court in front of these amazing fans. It's really special."