Britain's rising star Arthur Fery saw his Cincinnati Open campaign end in disappointment, but not before delivering a dramatic resurgence that was ultimately curtailed by Australia's Alex de Minaur following a series of weather interruptions. The match unfolded as a tightly contested battle, with the fifth‑seeded De Minaur ultimately prevailing 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) after a sequence of rain‑induced pauses that tested both players' focus and stamina. The encounter began under a clear sky, but the first game was quickly interrupted by a sudden downpour, forcing officials to suspend play. After a brief intermission, the match resumed, only to be halted again at the conclusion of the first set.
De Minaur, who had secured the opening set 7-5, found himself ahead 5-1 in the second set when another rain delay forced a second stoppage. The interruptions disrupted the rhythm of the contest, creating a unique psychological dynamic as each player had to reset their strategy each time the courts dried. When play finally resumed for good, Fery seized the moment with a burst of aggressive tennis. He captured five consecutive games, turning the tide dramatically.
During this surge, he broke De Minaur's serve twice, propelling himself to a 6-5 lead and putting the Australian under considerable pressure. The shift in momentum was palpable; the crowd sensed that the underdog might have the upper hand after a stunning comeback that showcased Fery's powerful forehand and deft movement around the baseline. However, De Minaur's experience in high‑stakes matches soon reasserted itself. The Australian steadied his nerves, fought back to level the set, and forced a tiebreak.
In the decisive breaker, De Minaur's superior shot selection and tactical consistency shone through. He claimed the tiebreak 7-3, sealing the match and advancing to the next round. The victory earned him a place in the round of 16, where he will meet the winner of the Arthur Fils versus Jiri Lehecka encounter.
For Fery, the loss is a bittersweet conclusion to an impressive run that has captured the attention of British tennis fans. The 24‑year‑old's performance in Cincinnati builds on his remarkable journey to the Wimbledon semifinals earlier this summer, where he displayed a blend of poise and power that belied his relative youth. As the US Open looms on the horizon, Fery will aim to translate the confidence gained from his deep runs in two of the sport's most prestigious tournaments into further success on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows. The British player’s schedule remains busy.
On Monday, he was officially named to the Great Britain Davis Cup squad for the upcoming home qualifying tie against Ecuador, set for next month. He will join forces with seasoned campaigner Cameron Norrie and the doubles specialists Henry Patten and Lloyd Glasspool.
Their collective goal is to secure a spot in the World Group and keep British tennis competitive on the international stage. Fery's recent Davis Cup involvement includes a pivotal appearance in the 2025 play‑off against Poland, where he dispatched Olaf Pieczkowski in straight sets, contributing significantly to Great Britain's progression to the 2026 qualifiers. The British team still has one vacancy to fill, a spot that could potentially go to Jack Draper should he recover fully from a season marred by injuries and regain the form that once saw him rank as high as world No.
4. The Cincinnati tournament also featured other notable storylines. Defending champion Iga Swiatek, the world No.
5, overcame a set deficit to defeat Maria Sakkari, securing her seventh consecutive title at the event. Swiatek, who had captured her first 2026 trophy in Toronto just a week earlier, appeared to show signs of fatigue in the opening set, losing it 6-4 to the 29th‑seeded Greek.
Nevertheless, she quickly rebounded, taking the next two sets 6-1, 6-1 and extending her winning streak to eight matches. Her next opponent will be French qualifier Diane Parry, ranked No. 66, in the round of 16. For tennis enthusiasts in the United Kingdom, both the ATP and WTA tours, as well as the upcoming US Open, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Fans can also stream matches without a contract through the NOW platform, ensuring they never miss a moment of the action. As the season progresses, the narratives of emerging talents like Arthur Fery and established champions such as Swiatek will continue to intertwine, promising a captivating blend of drama, skill, and perseverance on the courts.