Britain's rising star Arthur Fery saw his run at the Cincinnati Open come to an abrupt end, but not before delivering a dramatic resurgence that was repeatedly disrupted by weather delays. The match ultimately concluded with the tournament's fifth seed, Alex de Minaur, securing a hard‑fought 7‑5, 7‑6 (7‑3) victory, but the path to that result was anything but straightforward. The contest began under a grey sky, and after just one game the first rain delay forced a pause. Play resumed, only to be halted again at the conclusion of the opening set.
De Minaur had already taken the set 7‑5, and he surged ahead in the second, racing to a 5‑1 lead with the match poised at the brink of the last‑16 round. At that juncture, the players were forced to wait for the rain to clear, giving both competitors a chance to regroup.
When the courts finally dried and the match restarted, Fery seized the momentum. He rattled off an impressive string of five consecutive games, flipping the scoreboard to 6‑5 in his favor.
During this surge he broke de Minaur's serve twice, showcasing his aggressive baseline play and deft touch at the net. The British teenager's confidence surged, and for a brief spell it appeared he might overturn the Australian's early dominance. However, de Minaur, a seasoned campaigner known for his composure under pressure, steadied himself.
He fought back, holding his serve and eventually forcing a tiebreak. In the decisive breaker, the Australian's superior shot‑making and tactical awareness shone through. He clinched the tiebreak 7‑3, sealing the match and advancing to the quarter‑finals where he will meet the winner of the Arthur Fils versus Jiri Lehecka showdown.
The loss comes at a pivotal moment for Fery, who is just 24 and still riding the momentum from his sensational Wimbledon semi‑final run earlier in the year. With the US Open looming on the horizon, Fery's performance in Cincinnati, despite the defeat, has demonstrated his capacity to challenge top‑ranked opponents and to mount comebacks when the odds are against him. His tenacity and willingness to fight back after a sizable deficit have earned him praise from commentators and fans alike.
Beyond the individual match, Fery's schedule is shaping up to be busy. Earlier in the week, he was named to Great Britain's Davis Cup squad for the upcoming home qualifying tie against Ecuador, slated for next month. He will join forces with fellow Briton Cameron Norrie and the doubles specialists Henry Patten and Lloyd Glasspool.
The Davis Cup selection underscores the confidence the national team places in Fery's abilities and his potential to contribute significantly to Britain's campaign. In the broader context of British tennis, the Davis Cup lineup also features a potential fifth spot that could be claimed by Jack Draper, should he recover fully from the injury‑plagued season that saw him miss much of the tour. Draper, a former world No. 4, would add depth and experience to the squad if he returns to fitness.
Meanwhile, the women's side of the Cincinnati Open featured its own drama. Defending champion Iga Świątek, the world No. 5, rebounded from a set down to defeat Maria Sakkari, the 29th seed, securing her seventh consecutive title at the event.
Świątek's first‑set loss, 6‑4, hinted at possible fatigue, but she quickly regained control, taking the next two sets 6‑1, 6‑1 and extending her winning streak to eight matches. She will next face France's Diane Parry, ranked No. 66, in the round of 16.
For fans eager to follow the action, the matches are being broadcast live on Sky Sports, with the US Open also scheduled to appear on the network starting August 30. Viewers can stream the coverage without a contract via the NOW platform, ensuring easy access to the tournament's highlights and live play. Overall, while Arthur Fery's Cincinnati campaign ended in disappointment, the experience gained from battling a top‑seeded opponent under challenging conditions will serve him well as he prepares for the upcoming Grand Slam and the Davis Cup ties ahead.
His ability to mount a comeback, even if ultimately halted by de Minaur's resilience, signals a promising future for the young Briton on the ATP tour.