Arthur Fery Stuns Again: British Qualifier Topples 20th Seed Cobolli in Australian Open Opener
Arthur Fery isn’t just making appearances at Grand Slams-he’s making statements. The 23-year-old British qualifier delivered the first major jolt of this year’s Australian Open, knocking out 20th seed Flavio Cobolli in straight sets, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, 6-1, under the bright Melbourne sun.
If the name sounds familiar, it should. Fery pulled off a similar upset at Wimbledon last year, where he also took down a 20th seed in Alexei Popyrin.
That win turned heads. This one confirms it: Fery’s not here to just fill out the draw.
“It seems I like drawing 20th seeds at Grand Slams,” Fery quipped after the match with a grin. But behind the light-hearted comment was a composed, confident performance that showed he belongs on this stage.
Cobolli Struggles Physically, But Fery Takes Control
From the outset, Cobolli was clearly battling more than just his opponent. The Italian appeared to be dealing with a stomach issue, even leaving the court for a medical break after dropping the opening set in a tiebreak. He returned after taking electrolyte tablets, but the signs of discomfort only grew more obvious as the match wore on.
Still, this wasn’t a match that fell into Fery’s lap. He earned it.
The world No. 185 played with poise and purpose, especially impressive considering this was his main-draw debut at a Grand Slam outside of the UK. He didn’t just wait for Cobolli to falter-he made him work, moving him around the court, forcing errors, and staying aggressive throughout.
Undersized, Undeterred
At 5-foot-9, Fery doesn’t have the booming serve that many of his peers rely on. But what he lacks in raw power, he makes up for with court craft and clean, aggressive groundstrokes. His forehand in particular did damage, catching Cobolli off balance and out of position time and again.
As the match wore on, Cobolli’s body language told the story-frustration, fatigue, and a string of double faults that helped Fery build a commanding 5-1 lead in the third set. With the finish line in sight, the Brit didn’t blink. He closed things out with confidence, sealing just the third tour-level win of his young career-and his second on the Grand Slam stage.
What’s Next for Fery?
Fery now advances to face either Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic or Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round. Neither is seeded, but both have been ranked inside the top 30 and bring plenty of experience. It’s a step up in challenge, no doubt-but if Fery keeps playing with this level of composure and clarity, he won’t be an easy out for anyone.
He’s already proven he can hang with the big names. Now the question becomes: how far can he go?
One thing’s for sure-Arthur Fery isn’t just a feel-good qualifier story anymore. He’s a real threat.