Fearnley’s progress has been so rapid over the past 15 months, it can be easy to forget how inexperienced he remains at the highest level.
Little over a year ago, the former US college student was ranked outside of the world’s leading 500 players.
Since then he has soared up the rankings – cracking the top 50 in June – after a stunning introduction to the ATP Tour.
Fearnley has a habit of drawing high-profile names early in the Grand Slams and has already played on some of the iconic courts in the game.
But in recent months his form has been compromised by a nervous tension which is particularly damaging to his serve.
Fearnley hit 12 double faults against Zverev, including one in each of his service games as he lost the first set.
“It’s an issue and there are some quite obvious holes in my game, but I’m able to compete even when I’m not serving very well,” said Fearnley, who needed treatment on a shoulder injury in the first set.
“It’s definitely something I want to fix – I’m just giving points away.
“In practice I can make 100 second serves in a row, but it is something abut seeing the lights, seeing the court, and having Alex at other side of the net, which makes it so tricky.
“With that noise that crowd it is sometimes difficult. I will figure it out eventually.”
The issue also affected him in a first-round win over Roberto Bautista Agut, but he still had enough ability to get out of trouble against the wily Spanish veteran despite 18 double faults.
This time, Fearnley did not get away with the same mistakes against one of the world’s very best.
Beaten 2020 finalist Zverev won the opening set by a single break earned in the first game, with Fearnley later saying the German had kept him “standing there” for almost 15 minutes after they were called for the match.
Fearnley also made slow starts to the next two sets but salvaged some pride after Zverev raced 5-1 ahead in the third.
Cutting loose with his groundstrokes, Fearnley managed to prolong the match – wowing the crowd with explosive hitting and impressive athleticism – but it came too late.
It was Fearnley’s third defeat against Zverev this year and second at a major after another straight-set loss at the Australian Open.
“Overall I played a bit better [than Melbourne], I had some lapses in concentration but I felt pretty comfortable out there,” Fearnley said.
Assessing his US Open debut overall, he added: “I’m happy with the way I played and competed, mentally I thought I was good. I can take a lot from it.”
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