Still, this AO campaign is proving to be one that ranks right up there among the best for the Brits.

Raducanu is into the third round of the AO for the first time. Indeed, she has not reached this stage of a hard-court Grand Slam since she did so at Flushing Meadows, en route to her US Open 2021 triumph.

The world No.61 had not played much tennis in the build-up to AO 2025, but showed little signs of rustiness in her first-round win over Ekaterina Alexandrova, in which she struck nine aces – she only served more twice in her career in a WTA main draw match (11 v Daria Snigur in Nottingham and v Yue Yuan in Seoul, both last season).

Prior to beating Anisimova, Raducanu was the only woman to lose in the second round of the AO in each of the last three seasons – she has at least bucked that trend now.

Next up for the 22-year-old, who remains the only qualifier in the Open era to win a Slam, is world No.2 Iga Swiatek. Raducanu has lost three times to the Pole, but she will be hoping to end that unwanted record, too.

Draper has had to do it the hard way at AO 2025, going the distance against Mariano Navone and Thanasi Kokkinakis, playing back-to-back five-setters for the first time in his career. 

He is now 3-1 in Grand Slam matches that have gone all the way, though, and he will take on another Aussie – Aleksandar Vukic – next, in his first appearance in an AO third round.

READ: Five reasons we love Jack Draper

Draper has won his past 14 completed matches at ATP level against unseeded opponents.

Fearnley, meanwhile, moved up a remarkable 547 places in the ATP rankings last season (646 to 99) – he was the biggest mover over the course of 2024, among players who finished in the top 100.

In just his second main draw appearance at a Slam, Fearnley claimed a win over Kyrgios at the start of the week, and then beat Arthur Cazaux. Second seed Alexander Zverev awaits.

With such tough ties for Raducanu and Fearnley, and a home hope going up against Draper, round three could spell the end of the road for the Brits, but they have nevertheless grasped the chance to shine while winter grips back home.