Arthur Fery Makes a Statement in Melbourne, While Cameron Norrie Survives a Five-Set Test
Arthur Fery might be ranked outside the world’s top 180, but you wouldn’t have known it watching him dismantle Flavio Cobolli in straight sets under the lights at John Cain Arena. The 23-year-old Brit, making his Australian Open main-draw debut, played with the poise of a seasoned pro and the energy of someone who knows he belongs on this stage.
His 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, 6-1 win over the Italian-who reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals last year-wasn’t just a personal milestone. It was a message.
Fery came into the tournament riding the momentum of a flawless qualifying run, where he didn’t drop a set. And he carried that confidence into his first-round match, even as early drama threatened to derail the flow.
Both players called for video reviews in a tense opening set-Cobolli over a potential net touch and Fery flagging an underarm serve that came while a ball kid was still in motion. Both decisions eventually went Fery’s way, but not before some lengthy delays that tested the patience of everyone on court.
“I didn’t know what was going on there, but I knew it was worth it,” Fery said later. “When I asked for the video replay, I knew the ball kid was still running, so it was worth the wait.”
That composure under pressure-especially for someone in just his fifth Grand Slam main-draw match-speaks volumes. After failing to serve out the first set, Fery regrouped and dominated the tiebreak, taking it 7-1 as Cobolli’s errors piled up.
From there, the Brit only got stronger. He stepped closer to the baseline, took time away from his opponent, and began dictating points with his quick feet and fast hands.
Though officially listed at 5-foot-9, Fery plays bigger than his frame. He’s a livewire around the court, blending speed and anticipation with a willingness to come forward.
That aggressive mindset paid off in the second set, where he earned a crucial break and never looked back. Cobolli, clearly struggling with stomach issues, called for the trainer early in the third and faded quickly from there.
Fery won eight of the last nine games to close out the match, sealing a performance that felt like a breakout moment. And with his mother Olivia-herself a former professional player-watching from the stands after flying in post-qualifying, the win carried extra meaning.
“When I won that last round, she asked me if she could come,” Fery said. “I said, ‘Of course, it would be nice to have you here.’
It’s obviously a long way, but at least I made it worth it. She can see at least two matches-hopefully more.”
Fery’s tennis roots run deep. His father, Loic, is the president of Ligue 1 club FC Lorient, and Arthur credits both parents with helping him understand the demands of life in professional sport. He grew up in Wimbledon, but was born in France, and chose to delay his pro career to study and play at Stanford University-a decision that’s now paying dividends.
Injuries have slowed his rise at times-bone bruising in his arm being the most notable setback-but since his upset win over Alexei Popyrin at Wimbledon last summer, Fery’s been on a steady climb. He picked up his first ATP Challenger title in Barranquilla in August, made a final in Athens in November, and added three more quarterfinal runs to finish the year with a career-high ranking of No.
- He also earned a spot on Great Britain’s Davis Cup team, winning his debut against Poland’s Olaf Pieczkowski.
Next up: a second-round clash with Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry. “I just feel really confident,” Fery said. “I feel I don’t have to overplay to play with guys like that.”
Norrie Digs Deep in Five-Set Battle
While Fery cruised, Cameron Norrie had to dig deep-really deep-to avoid an early exit. The 26th seed needed every ounce of grit in his arsenal to outlast France’s Benjamin Bonzi in a marathon five-setter, eventually pulling through 6-0, 6-7 (2-7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 after three hours and 39 minutes of high-stakes tennis.
Norrie came out of the gates flying, bageling Bonzi in just 24 minutes. But the Frenchman regrouped, finding his rhythm and flipping the match on its head. He edged a tight second-set tiebreak, then took the third 6-4, suddenly putting Norrie on the ropes.
With fellow Brit Jack Draper sidelined due to injury, Norrie entered the tournament as the top-ranked British man in the draw. And for a moment, it looked like that mantle might come with a first-round exit. But the 30-year-old, known for his relentless baseline game and mental toughness, found another gear.
He steadied his serve, tightened up his returns, and began to wear Bonzi down with long, grinding rallies. The fourth set went Norrie’s way 6-3, and he carried that momentum into the decider, sealing the win and earning a second-round meeting with American Emilio Nava.
For Norrie, it wasn’t pretty-but it was gutsy. And on a day where British tennis had plenty to cheer, it was another example of the resilience that’s become his trademark.
With Fery rising and Norrie surviving, the opening round in Melbourne gave British fans a lot to feel good about. And if Fery’s confident words are anything to go by, the best may still be to come.