Jacob Fearnley ‘grateful’ as makeshift Great Britain team face Davis Cup test

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Jacob Fearnley faces another sizeable challenge in his fledgling professional tennis career as he bids to lead Britain’s under-strength Davis Cup team to victory in their qualifier against Japan. “I’m just grateful to be playing,” said Fearnley, who only turned professional last spring after finishing college in the USA. “I played Kei in a Challenger a couple of months ago so if I get the chance to have a little bit of revenge that would be nice but I know he’s playing extremely well and he’s actually one of the greats of the game, so to play him in Japan, and I know he’s a king over there, that will be a cool experience for sure.” Fearnley has known Smith since he was a young child, while he went to many of the Davis Cup ties in Glasgow over the last 15 years as a spectator, including the victories over the US and Australia during Britain’s title run in 2015. I look back very fondly on the Davis Cup.” Smith has followed Fearnley’s progress with great interest and challenged him and Harris, who turned 30 this week, to seize their chance.