Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Vienna match.
Second seed and 2021 Vienna champion Alexander Zverev begins his campaign against qualifier Jacob Fearnley. The Brit, who has already lost to Zverev three times this season, will be hoping to finally spring an upset on the quick indoor surface.
Jacob Fearnley
World No.81 Jacob Fearnley continues to struggle to adapt to ATP Tour level, losing seven of his last ten main-draw matches — including straight-set defeats to Dominic Stricker and Elias Ymer, both in matches where he started as the favourite. Indoors, however, he’s at his best: an 82% career win rate (49-11), mostly achieved at Challenger level. In Vienna’s qualifying rounds, Fearnley didn’t drop a single service game and fired 12 aces. Still, his lack of experience against elite opposition is telling — all four of his matches against top-10 players this season have ended in defeat.
Alexander Zverev
World No.3 Alexander Zverev has an excellent record in Vienna: five appearances, five first-round victories, and the 2021 title. Although he’s lost seven of his last twelve matches, six of those defeats came against top-15 opponents. This season, Zverev claimed the Munich title and reached the finals of both the Australian Open and Stuttgart. Indoors, he remains a formidable force, winning 66% of his matches on the surface. Against Fearnley, Zverev has been dominant — all three meetings in 2025 ended in straight sets.
Jacob Fearnley vs Alexander Zverev Prediction
Zverev’s class and experience in Vienna should prove far too much for the inconsistent Fearnley, who lacks the firepower to trouble top-tier opposition. Expect a composed and clinical performance from the German.
