Arthur Fery, the British sensation who captured the imagination of tennis fans with his Cinderella run at Wimbledon, kept his summer fairy‑tale alive by securing a place in the championship match of the Winston‑Salem Open on Friday. The 24‑year‑old Briton navigated the ATP 250 tournament with a blend of composure and firepower, posting straight‑set victories over Australian veteran Cruz Hewitt and qualifier Mees Rottgering before edging past Aleksandar Kovacevic in a tightly contested three‑set quarter‑final. In the semi‑final, Fery faced fellow Australian James Duckworth, a player he had already bested in Cincinnati just two weeks earlier. The match appeared to be heading toward another hard‑fought battle, but Duckworth was forced to retire due to an injury while trailing 6‑4, 1‑2, handing Fery a walk‑over into the final.
"I’m really happy to be in the final," Fery said after the match. "Obviously it’s not the way I wanted it to end at all.
I hope James can rest and recover for next week, but I’m very pleased to be through." He added that his own play had been solid: "I played well in the first set. He was serving very well and tricky but I managed to get the break and from then on I felt I was playing good. He was hindered at the start of the second set and I saw it. It’s never easy playing someone who you know is physically challenged, but overall it felt good apart from that last forehand." Fery’s ascent this season has been nothing short of meteoric.
Just eight weeks ago he lingered outside the top 100, yet his Wimbledon semi‑final appearance propelled him into the conversation as one of Britain’s most promising talents. The Winston‑Salem final represents a new career milestone, offering him the chance to claim his first ATP Tour final appearance and potentially his first title.
The championship match is set for Saturday at 9 p.m. BST on Sky Sports Tennis, where Fery will meet Peru’s rising star Ignacio Buse. Buse, the world No. 36, earned his spot in the final by defeating Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 6‑2, 4‑6, 6‑1, showcasing a powerful baseline game and a knack for closing out tight sets.
"It’s going to be another tough match," Fery admitted. "Ignacio is playing really well. He’s a young guy who is breaking out so it’s going to be a great match.
Definitely a good week for both of us and I’m going to sit down with my coach and see what I can do to beat him." Buse’s own journey has been equally impressive. The 22‑year‑old’s breakthrough came in May when he captured his first tour‑level trophy at the ATP 500 event in Hamburg, a victory that vaulted him from outside the top 130 to a seeded position for the upcoming US Open. He will open the Grand Slam against American Marcos Giron in the first round, a test that could cement his status as one of the sport’s next breakout players. For Fery, the stakes are even higher.
He is set to make his main‑draw debut at the US Open, which begins on Sunday, and will draw world No. 14 Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the opening round.
Musetti, known for his elegant shot‑making and tactical acumen, will provide a stern early test for the British hopeful. Nonetheless, Fery’s confidence after his Winston‑Salem performance suggests he is ready to embrace the challenge. The Winston‑Salem Open, held in North Carolina, has become a key warm‑up event for players gearing up for the US Open swing. Its hard‑court surface mirrors the conditions in New York, allowing competitors to fine‑tune their games ahead of the season’s final Grand Slam.
Fery’s run through the draw, highlighted by his ability to break opponents’ serves and sustain pressure in crucial moments, indicates that he has adapted well to the faster pace and lower bounce of American courts. Beyond the on‑court drama, the tournament has also drawn attention for its broadcast partnerships. Fans in the United Kingdom can follow the action live on Sky Sports, while streaming options such as NOW offer contract‑free access to the US Open and other major events. The synergy between traditional television and digital platforms ensures that tennis enthusiasts can stay connected to the sport wherever they are.
Looking ahead, Fery’s performance in Winston‑Salem could serve as a springboard for a breakthrough season. A title win would not only boost his ranking points, potentially propelling him into the top 50, but also provide valuable experience in handling the pressure of a final. Even in defeat, the exposure to a high‑stakes match against a player of Buse’s caliber will be instrumental in his development. As the final approaches, both players will likely spend the night reviewing match footage, fine‑tuning strategies, and working closely with their coaching teams to exploit any perceived weaknesses.
For Fery, capitalising on his strong first‑set play and maintaining consistency on his forehand will be crucial, while Buse may look to leverage his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play to dictate rallies. The Winston‑Salem final promises to be a compelling contest between two young talents eager to make their mark on the ATP Tour.
Whether Fery adds a maiden title to his résumé or Buse claims his second final appearance, the match will undoubtedly provide a thrilling prelude to the upcoming US Open, where both will aim to continue their ascent on the world stage.