Arthur Fery, the British player who captured the imagination of tennis fans with his Cinderella run at Wimbledon, continued his remarkable summer by booking a place in the Winston‑Salem Open championship match on Friday. The 24‑year‑old’s path to the final was marked by a series of confident performances that underscored his growing reputation on the ATP Tour. Fery opened his Winston‑Salem campaign with a straightforward victory over Australian wildcard Cruz Hewitt, displaying a blend of aggressive baseline play and calm composure that set the tone for the week. He followed that with a win against qualifier Mees Rottgering, a match that highlighted his ability to dictate points with a powerful forehand and a reliable serve.
The quarter‑finals brought a tougher test in the form of Serbia’s Aleksandar Kovacevic. After dropping the first set, Fery rallied to claim the next two, winning in three sets and demonstrating both mental resilience and tactical adaptability.
In the semi‑final, Fery met fellow Australian James Duckworth, a seasoned competitor who had previously fallen to Fery in Cincinnati just two weeks earlier. The match progressed until Duckworth was forced to retire because of an injury while trailing 6‑4, 1‑2.
Although the conclusion was not the ideal way to secure a place in a final, Fery expressed satisfaction with his performance. "I'm really happy to be in the final," he said, adding that he hoped Duckworth would recover quickly and be ready for upcoming events. He praised his own play in the opening set, noting that he had managed to break Duckworth’s serve and maintain a high level of execution throughout.
He also acknowledged the difficulty of competing against an opponent who is physically compromised, but felt the overall experience was positive, aside from a missed forehand that he cited as a minor blemish. Fery’s journey this summer has been nothing short of a fairy‑tale. After a breakthrough semi‑final appearance at Wimbledon, where he captured global attention, he has continued to climb the rankings at an impressive rate.
Just eight weeks prior to the Winston‑Salem final, he was positioned outside the top 100, but his recent results have propelled him to a new career high, which will be officially recorded on Monday. The upcoming championship match will see Fery face Peru’s rising star Ignacio Buse on Saturday at 9 p.m. BST, broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. Buse, the world No.
36, earned his spot in the final by defeating Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi in a three‑set battle (6‑2, 4‑6, 6‑1), marking his second ATP Tour final appearance. Speaking before the contest, Fery described the challenge ahead: "It’s going to be another tough match.
Ignacio is playing really well. He’s a young guy who is breaking out, so it’ll be a great contest. It’s definitely a good week for both of us, and I’ll sit down with my coach to map out a strategy to beat him." Buse, the highest‑seeded player remaining in the North Carolina tournament, is only 22 but already boasts a notable résumé.
In May, he captured his first tour‑level title at the ATP 500 event in Hamburg, a triumph that signaled his arrival on the elite circuit. A year ago, Buse was ranked No.
135, but his recent successes have earned him a seed at the upcoming US Open, where he will open against American Marcos Giron. For Fery, the Winston‑Salem final serves as a crucial preparation ahead of his main‑draw debut at the US Open, which begins on Sunday. He will open the Grand Slam against Italy’s world No.
14 Lorenzo Musetti, a formidable opponent known for his silky backhand and tactical variety. The matchup promises to be a stern test for the British newcomer, offering a glimpse of what may lie ahead in his burgeoning career.
The US Open will be broadcast live on Sky Sports starting August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app for viewers who prefer contract‑free access. In addition to the Grand Slam coverage, tennis fans can look forward to the Laver Cup, scheduled to take place at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also shown live on Sky Sports. Overall, Arthur Fery’s ascent from a relatively unknown British talent to a contender in ATP finals illustrates the unpredictable and thrilling nature of professional tennis.
His Wimbledon semi‑final run, followed by a string of solid performances on the ATP 250 circuit, has not only elevated his ranking but also cemented his status as a player to watch. Whether he clinches the Winston‑Salem title or simply uses the experience as a stepping stone toward greater achievements, Fery’s summer narrative is a testament to perseverance, skill, and the belief that a breakthrough can happen at any moment on the court.