Arthur Fery gives Alex de Minaur stern test before bowing out in Cincinnati

Arthur Fery's run at the Cincinnati Open concluded in the third round after a challenging encounter with fifth seed Alex de Minaur. Fery, the 32nd seed, pushed De Minaur for over two hours in a rain-affected match, ultimately falling 7-5, 7-6 (3).

The match experienced multiple delays, including one before Fery and De Minaur even took the court due to a preceding lengthy match, and another short stoppage after just two games due to rain. Once play resumed in humid conditions, Fery started strongly with his serve, not facing a break point in his initial five service games. However, a lapse in one service game allowed De Minaur to secure the crucial break.

Following a rain delay between the first and second sets, De Minaur, cheered on by his wife Katie Boulter, returned with heightened intensity. His superior defensive skills posed challenges for Fery, exposing a perceived difference in raw hitting power. Yet, a second rain interruption with the score at 5-7, 1-5 provided Fery an opportunity to reset. He returned to court visibly more relaxed, striking the ball effectively and forcing the second set into a tie-break before De Minaur closed out the victory.

This tournament marked Fery's first competition since his notable Wimbledon performance last month. Despite the loss, he departs Mason, Ohio, with valuable experience and reasons for optimism regarding his development. He reached the third round of a Masters 1000 event, securing one win over James Duckworth (world No. 86) in a tough three-set match after a first-round bye. This victory was his sixth-best by ranking. Fery earned 50 points and $36,110 in prize money, his largest sum outside of Grand Slam appearances and significantly more than his ATP Challenger title earnings from a year ago. Competing against top-tier players like De Minaur is considered crucial for Fery's continued progression in the sport.