Arthur Fery entered the 2024 US Open with the hope of replicating the fairy‑tale run he enjoyed at Wimbledon and the recent surge that saw him reach the Winston‑Salem Open final. Instead, his campaign in Flushing Meadows was cut short in the very first round, where he fell to Italy's 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets, 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5.
The Italian, a rising star who has already made deep Grand Slam runs, proved too polished and consistent for the British hopeful. The opening set set the tone early. After a tight first few games, Fery’s service game faltered dramatically when he double‑faulted twice in the eighth game, handing Musetti a crucial break.
Musetti seized the momentum, breaking again shortly thereafter and closing the set 6‑3 with a series of clean, aggressive strokes from the baseline. The Italian’s backhand, a weapon that can slice through the court with pinpoint accuracy, was on full display, and his serve held up without giving Fered any foothold.
In the second set, Musetti continued to dominate from the back of the court. He kept the rally length short, firing down‑the‑line backhand winners and forcing Fery into defensive positions. The break came in the sixth game, when Musetti’s relentless pressure earned him a second service break. He then served two perfect games, sealing the set 6‑3 and leaving Fery with a steep uphill battle.
The third set began with a glimmer of hope for the Brit. Fery managed to break Musetti’s serve early, suggesting that a comeback might be possible.
However, Musetti responded instantly, breaking back and restoring his lead. The Italian’s composure under pressure was evident as he turned a break down into a break up by the fifth game, only to wobble slightly when serving for the match. Fery, sensing an opening, fought back and secured a break of his own, momentarily shifting the momentum.
Unfortunately for Fery, unforced errors began to pile up. Musetti, displaying the poise of a seasoned Grand Slam competitor, broke again immediately after Fery’s brief resurgence. The Italian then served out the match on his second match point, clinching the victory 7‑5 in the final set. Post‑match analysis from Sky Sports provided insight into what the young British player can take away from the experience.
Tim Henman, a former world No. 4 and now a respected commentator, noted that Fery’s loss is a learning opportunity. "He lacks experience at the highest level," Henman said.
"He’s ranked 33 in the world but hasn’t played many matches outside the UK against top‑tier opponents. Facing Musetti, who is already a world‑class player with Grand Slam semi‑final credentials, highlights the areas he needs to improve." Henman suggested specific technical adjustments: Fery should look to finish more points at the net, take the ball earlier on his forehand side—especially in hot conditions—to generate greater penetration, and work on adding pace to his first serve while maintaining accuracy. Although Fery’s height limits his natural serve power, incremental improvements could make his service game more threatening.
Laura Robson, another Sky Sports analyst, praised Musetti’s performance. "Musetti was too good. His extra gear, the speed he generates off the racquet, and his ability to open the court made a huge difference," she observed.
She also empathised with Fery, noting that a stronger start in the first set could have altered the match’s trajectory. Naomi Broady added a broader perspective on Fery’s career trajectory. "Arthur is now stepping into the big‑guy arena," she said.
"He’s proven himself at the ATP 250 level, but now the spotlight will be brighter, and opponents will study his game more closely. I don’t expect him to plateau; the next few months could be very exciting, and his ranking still has room to skyrocket." Musetti, speaking after the win, was candid about his own nerves. He admitted that at 5‑3 in the final set he missed a crucial passing shot, felt a wave of fear, and even shook a bit at 5‑4. Despite serving well, he missed three easy forehands.
Yet he credited his mental attitude for pulling through. "I was really focused, even though I didn’t play my best tennis.
I stuck to the plan we had before the match," Musetti explained. He also expressed relief at finally returning to New York after missing two Grand Slams due to injury. For fans eager to relive the match, Sky Sports offered live streaming on its platform, as well as highlights, scores, and a contract‑free viewing option through NOW. The US Open continued to be broadcast daily on Sky Sports through September 13, with additional tennis events such as the Laver Cup slated for later in the month at The O2 in London.
In summary, while Arthur Fery’s US Open debut ended abruptly, the experience against a top‑seeded opponent like Lorenzo Musetti provides a valuable benchmark. The British player now has clear targets: sharpen his net play, add bite to his forehand, and enhance his serve’s power and precision.
With those adjustments and more exposure to high‑level competition, Fery could translate his recent ATP 250 successes into deeper Grand Slam runs in the future.