Arthur Fery, the British sensation who captured worldwide attention with his fairy‑tale run to the Wimbledon semi‑finals, kept his momentum rolling this summer by securing a place in the championship match of the Winston‑Salem Open on Friday. The 24‑year‑old’s journey through the ATP 250 tournament was marked by a series of confident performances, beginning with straightforward victories over American hopeful Cruz Hewitt and Dutch qualifier Mees Rottgering. Both matches showcased Fery’s powerful baseline game and his ability to dictate play from the outset, allowing him to glide past his opponents without the need for dramatic comebacks. In the quarter‑finals, Fery faced a sterner test in Serbia’s Aleksandar Kovacevic.
The encounter stretched to three sets, but the British player displayed the composure and tactical awareness that have become his trademark. After taking the first set, he weathered a spirited challenge from Kovacevic, ultimately prevailing with a decisive break of serve that underscored his growing confidence on the ATP circuit.
The win not only propelled him into the semi‑finals but also reinforced his reputation as a player capable of handling pressure in longer formats. The semi‑final clash pitted Fery against Australian veteran James Duckworth, a player he had already bested in Cincinnati only two weeks earlier.
The match began with Fery establishing a 6‑4 lead in the opening set, demonstrating aggressive serving and precise groundstrokes that kept Duckworth on the back foot. Midway through the second set, Duckworth suffered an injury that forced him to retire, leaving the score at 6‑4, 1‑2 in Fery’s favour. While the conclusion was not the dramatic finish Fery might have preferred, he expressed genuine happiness at reaching his maiden ATP final and concern for his opponent’s wellbeing. "I'm really happy to be in the final," he said, adding that he hopes Duckworth recovers quickly and is ready for the challenges ahead.
Fery reflected on his performance, noting that the first set felt particularly strong. "He was serving very well and tricky but I managed to get the break and from then on I thought I was playing good," he explained.
He also observed Duckworth’s physical limitation early in the second set, acknowledging the difficulty of competing against an opponent who is visibly hampered. Despite the abrupt ending, Fery felt the match had largely gone his way, apart from a single forehand that did not meet his usual standards. Having surged from outside the top 100 just eight weeks prior, Fery now stands on the cusp of a career‑high ranking that will be confirmed on Monday.
His rapid ascent is a testament to his hard work, strategic coaching, and the confidence he gained from his Wimbledon exploits earlier in the season. The British public, still buzzing from his semi‑final appearance at the All England Club, will be eager to see how he handles the pressure of an ATP final. The final, scheduled for Saturday at 9 p.m.
BST, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. Fery’s opponent will be Peru’s rising star Ignacio Buse, the world’s No. 36, who earned his spot by defeating Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi in a three‑set thriller (6‑2, 4‑6, 6‑1). Buse, only 22, has already shown he can compete with seasoned professionals, having captured his first tour‑level title at the ATP 500 event in Hamburg earlier this year.
His breakthrough in Hamburg propelled him from a ranking of No. 135 a year ago to a seeded position at the upcoming US Open, where he will meet American Marcos Giron in the opening round. Fery remains realistic about the challenge ahead. "It's going to be another tough match," he 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." The British player plans to fine‑tune his strategy, focusing on exploiting Buse’s backhand and maintaining aggressive court positioning. Both athletes are expected to deliver a high‑quality contest that could serve as a preview of their potential performances at the US Open, which begins on August 30. Speaking of the US Open, Fery is set to make his main‑draw debut in New York, where he will face Italy’s world No.
14 Lorenzo Musetti in the first round. Musetti, known for his elegant one‑handed backhand and crafty shot‑making, presents a formidable obstacle for the British newcomer. Nonetheless, Fery’s recent form suggests he is more than capable of challenging higher‑ranked opponents, and his experience at Wimbledon has already given him a taste of competing on the sport’s biggest stages.
Fans can follow the US Open live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, both offering contract‑free access to matches, highlights, and exclusive video content. In addition to the Grand Slam, tennis enthusiasts can also look forward to the Laver Cup, which will be held at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also broadcast on Sky Sports. Overall, Arthur Fery’s progression from a promising youngster to a contender in ATP tournaments encapsulates a remarkable summer narrative.
His Wimbledon semi‑final run, followed by a steady climb through the ranks and now a first‑ever ATP final appearance, underscores a trajectory that many players only dream of achieving. Whether he lifts the Winston‑Salem trophy or uses the experience as a stepping stone toward future success, Fery has already cemented his status as one of Britain’s most exciting tennis talents.