Jacob Fearnley shares Kyrgios fan interaction story as Brit opens up on whirlwind Aus Open

Jacob Fearnley has gone from college tennis to getting asked for selfies at the in the last whirlwind 12 months.

And has predicted his fellow 23-year-old will soon be competing with the US Open semi-finalist for the British No.1 spot before both play in the third round here.

Draper will take on Aussie Aleksandar Vukic in another Ashes Battle on Friday night. And British No.3 Fearnley, who showed great composure to beat in the first round, will now take on world No.2 .

The Scot only left the Texas Christian University last summer and shot up the rankings by winning four Challenger events to qualify for his first overseas Grand Slam.

And the world No.86, who watched last year’s at college in Texas, said it is “cool” to be recognised at his first overseas Grand Slam.

“I had one person who was getting in the car, and he sprinted over from the other end of the street,” Fearnley laughed. “He was like: ‘Are you the guy that played Nick? and I was like, ‘Yeah, take a selfie’.

“But other than that, I don’t get recognised at all. I think that I probably get recognised here, because obviously I played Nick so probably a lot of people were tuning in for that match. But other than that, no, I quite like it for now. It’s nice to stay grounded, and just kind of do my own thing. But it’s also cool to be recognised, especially children and kids, and they’re like, ‘I’m your biggest fan’. It’s really cool.”

Fearnley, who is accompanied here by his American girlfriend Keagan Polk, will take on 2020 Olympic champion Zverev in the second match in the Margaret Court Arena on Friday.

“It’s another massive match,” said the Hibs fan. “He’s playing unbelievable. I’m aware that all these matches that I’m getting are extremely challenging.

“I do get nervous, but I know how lucky I am to have these experiences and play these matches. These matches don’t come around often. I’m trying to cherish them and stay in the present moment really and just try and enjoy these massive matches because they are some of the biggest that I can play.”

It is very different from the start of his career when he first encountered No.15 seed Draper. “I think we were around about 10 maybe. I remember we played for the first time green clay in a bubble kind of in Gosling. Maybe it was green ball, or maybe it was just transitioning into yellow ball. I remember that match, actually. I think I won!

“We travelled a lot, and we did play some cool matches, under 12, under 14, and then kind of got a little bit — he kind of went, like, way higher than me. I went the college path. He kind of shot up, and then I went a different direction. Everyone knew he was an insane talent. I don’t think it comes as any surprise to anyone how well he’s doing, for sure. We’ve definitely reconnected in the past even six months or so.”

Draper, the son of former LTA chief executive Roger, said: “I’m proud of Jacob. He’s an incredible player. I don’t know if you looked at our sort of LTA, how many times we’ve played each other. It must be 30 times when we were younger. He would be like my arch rival when we were younger.

“Obviously we went down different paths. He went to university and sort of did his thing there, but he’s always been a special talent. He’s not going to stop just top 100 or top 50. He’s going to be right at the top of the game. I think that’s a really good, healthy relationship for myself.

“Obviously I’m good friends with him, but we’re going to be competing against each other obviously with sort of that No. 1 Brit situation. I think it’s great for British tennis. Obviously Cam is still around, Dan, and other players too. I think it’s an amazing addition to British tennis, and lucky to have him back.”