Arthur Fery exits US Open in first round
Arthur Fery admitted his serve “really let me down” after his long-awaited US Open debut ended in a straight-sets defeat, reports BritPanorama.
The British No 1 lost 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 to world No 14 Lorenzo Musetti in a match lasting just over two hours at Flushing Meadows.
Fery faced a challenging opening round after arriving in New York narrowly outside the seeding positions, which set him up against the experienced Italian player. A downpour delayed the start by around four hours, yet conditions remained humid as the players finally took to the Grandstand.
Initially, Fery showcased his athleticism and net presence, disrupting Musetti’s rhythm with deft drop shots and aggressive volleys during a competitive opening spell. However, the 24-year-old struggled to protect his serve and could not capitalise on opportunities when they arose.
“Today, my serve really let me down,” Fery stated after the match. “That was the biggest difference between us, I think.” Although he momentarily matched Musetti’s intensity in the rallies, the Italian’s one-handed backhand proved decisive, frequently evading Fery with well-placed lobs.
Despite his efforts to break back in the third set, Fery failed to convert any of his four break points, thanks to a series of unforced errors that allowed Musetti to remain in control. Frustration mounted for Fery as he earned a code violation for an audible obscenity while trailing.
Having recently reached his first ATP Tour final in Winston-Salem, Fery acknowledged that competing at the US Open was still valuable, despite the demanding schedule. “Would I sign for these past two weeks right now? Yeah, probably,” he remarked. “It’s a lot of ranking points. It’s a first ATP final, so it’s good.”
Looking ahead, Fery is expected to represent Britain in the Davis Cup against Ecuador in two weeks, while also preparing for upcoming tournaments in Tokyo and Shanghai. Meanwhile, fellow British players Toby Samuel and Katie Boulter are set to compete in their respective first-round matches against Jiri Lehecka and Karolina Muchova.
In a sport where clarity of service can define matches, Fery’s journey at Flushing Meadows serves as a reminder of the thin margins in professional tennis. How a promising debut can be eclipsed by a singular weakness – perhaps just a fleeting moment in an athlete’s evolution, but a significant one nonetheless.
