Britain’s rising star Arthur Fery saw his Cincinnati Open campaign come to an abrupt end, but not before delivering a dramatic comeback that was repeatedly interrupted by inclement weather. The fifth‑seeded Australian Alex de Minaur eventually prevailed, clinching the match 7‑5, 7‑6 (7‑3), yet the contest was punctuated by several rain stoppages that altered the rhythm of play.
The match began with de Minaur taking an early lead, and after the first game a brief rain shower forced a suspension. Play resumed, and the Australian continued to dominate, closing out the first set 7‑5.
As the second set unfolded, the rain returned once more after the opening game, and again after the conclusion of the first set. When the skies finally cleared, de Minaur was ahead 7‑5, 5‑1, just one game away from securing a place in the round of 16. At that point the British teenager found a second wind. With the interruption over, Fery launched an impressive surge, winning five consecutive games and turning the tide dramatically.
He broke de Minaur’s serve twice in rapid succession, propelling himself to a 6‑5 lead and forcing the Australian to dig deep to stay in the match. De Minaur, however, managed to steady his nerves, holding serve to push the set into a tiebreak.
The tiebreak showcased de Minaur’s experience and shot‑making ability. He seized control early, built a comfortable margin, and eventually closed the breaker 7‑3, sealing a hard‑fought victory. The win moves the 27‑year‑old Australian into the next round, where he will meet the winner of the Arthur Fils versus Jiri Lehecka encounter for a spot in the quarter‑finals.
Fery’s performance, despite the loss, is noteworthy because it follows his sensational run to the Wimbledon semi‑finals earlier this year. The 24‑year‑old Briton is now looking ahead to the US Open, which begins shortly, and hopes to translate the confidence he gained on the grass courts to the hard courts of Flushing Meadows.
His matches are being broadcast live on Sky Sports, giving British fans a chance to track his progress. In addition to his individual schedule, Fery received a call‑up to the Great Britain Davis Cup squad for the upcoming home qualifying tie against Ecuador. He will join compatriots Cameron Norrie, as well as doubles specialists Henry Patten and Lloyd Glasspool, in what promises to be a crucial fixture for the nation’s aspirations to return to the World Group.
The broader tennis calendar is packed with events that will shape the remainder of the season. Sky Sports continues to provide live coverage of both the ATP and WTA tours, and the US Open will also be shown on the network starting August 30. Viewers can stream matches without a contract through the NOW platform, which offers a convenient way to follow the action on any device.
Looking back at recent highlights, Iga Świątek, the defending champion in Cincinnati, demonstrated her resilience by overturning a set deficit against Maria Sakkari. Świątek, seeded seventh in the tournament, secured her seventh consecutive title at the event with a 6‑4, 6‑1 victory, extending her winning streak to eight matches.
She will next face French player Diane Parry, ranked 66th in the world, in the round of 16. Fery’s own Davis Cup résumé includes a notable appearance in the 2025 play‑off against Poland, where he defeated Olaf Pieczkowski in straight sets, helping Great Britain advance to the 2026 qualifiers. The team still has a fifth spot to fill, a position that could potentially go to Jack Draper if he can recover fully from a year plagued by injuries. The Cincinnati Open, a Masters 1000 event, continues to be a key preparation ground for players aiming to peak at the US Open.
Weather interruptions, such as the rain delays that affected the Fery‑de Minaur match, are a reminder of the unpredictable conditions athletes must adapt to. Despite the setbacks, Fery’s ability to rally from a significant deficit demonstrates his mental fortitude and suggests that he could be a dark horse in the upcoming Grand Slam. As the season progresses, tennis enthusiasts can stay updated on scores, upcoming fixtures, and detailed analyses through Sky Sports’ dedicated tennis portal. For those seeking a seamless viewing experience, the NOW streaming service offers contract‑free access to live matches, ensuring that fans never miss a moment of the sport’s most exciting moments.