Jacob Fearnley just pulled off a truly remarkable comeback at the US Open, battling back from a stunning 5-2 deficit in the fourth set against Martin Landaluce to claim a five-set victory. This isn’t just a win, it’s a statement about refusing to quit, and it happened on the biggest stage.
Fearnley’s Insane Turnaround at Flushing Meadows
Fearnley, the world number 101 and playing as a lucky loser in the main draw, looked completely out of it. Trailing 5-2 in the fourth set, with Landaluce serving for the match, things were grim. But then, something clicked. He absolutely ripped off 10 of the next 11 games, turning what looked like a sure loss into a thrilling 4-6 6-2 4-6 7-5 6-3 win. This dude just finds ways to make you believe.
His philosophy? “Just point after point.” He apparently didn’t feel like he had “a whole lot to lose,” and he channeled inspiration from a Challenger Tour comeback in July. When it really counted, Fearnley won an incredible 20 of the next 24 points and snagged three breaks of serve to force an unlikely decider. He carried that momentum right into the fifth set, roaring to a 5-1 lead. While he stumbled trying to serve it out initially, letting two match points slip, double-faulting, and even missing a smash, he somehow recovered his composure to serve out to love in his very next game. The numbers back it up too: across those final two dramatic sets, Fearnley crushed 30 winners compared to Landaluce’s 11. He was just taking control.
Dart Breaks a 19-Month Grand Slam Drought
Fearnley wasn’t the only one pulling off a Houdini act. Compatriot Harriet Dart also delivered a massive comeback, ending a brutal 19-month wait for a Grand Slam main-draw win. She’d been through the wringer, losing the opening set in all three of her US Open qualifying matches, including against Kristina Penickova and Heather Watson. And here she was again, down a set and a break against American Peyton Stearns in the first round.
But Dart found a way, taking advantage of Stearns’ fluctuating form to win 3-6 6-3 6-2. This win means everything, especially after not winning a main-draw singles match at a major since the 2025 Australian Open, failing to qualify for four of the next six Grand Slams, and falling at the first hurdle in the last two Wimbledons. She was cheered on by her family and her team, which now includes 2013 Wimbledon champ Marion Bartoli, so you know the support was real.
Fearnley and Dart now join fellow Brits Toby Samuel and Katie Boulter in the second round. Fearnley will face 27th seed Tomas Etcheverry, while Dart takes on 25th seed Marie Bouzkova. What a start to the US Open for these two; let’s see if they can keep this momentum rolling!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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