Scot Fearnley booked his place among tennis’s leading lights – Zherev znd Alcaraz are top two seeds – by overcoming Lorenzo Sonego 6-1. 6-7. 6-4 in which the decisive break of serve came in the concluding game. A real test of nerve.

Earlier in the weekend Jacob had defeated Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4. 3-6. 6-3.

For many the win over Sonego will rank as the best of 25-year-old Jacob’s career for, as recently as 2023, his opponent helped Italy win the Davis Cup.

Also, Sonego has four ATP titles to his name and five years ago was ranked world No 21 although he has slipped back to the high ’80s.

Now comes a blockbuster which pitches British No 3 Fearnley against the current British No 1 who has had a momentous year after reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals as a qualifier.

Currently Fery ranks No 34 in the world.

The tournament is being televised on Sky Sports.