in 1969, his first full year on the circuit, he upset former wimbledon and u.s. open champion john newcombe in the quarterfinals of the heineken open in auckland. it was the year "auckland tennis went 'open'," attracting star players such as newcombe and his countryman, top-ranked rod laver. the tournament's website describes the atmosphere at the event that year: "there was wild excitement in a packed stadium when kiwi brian fairlie pulled off an upset win over newcombe in five hard-fought sets. when he went on to face laver, the gates had to be closed against the huge crowds wanting to get in." in both 1975 and 1976 fairlie reached the finals of that tournament, losing on both occasions to fellow new zealander and davis cup doubles partner onny parun.