Can Arthur Fery, World No. 185, Upset 20th Seed Cobolli at Aus Open?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Arthur Fery achieved a significant upset at the Australian Open 2026.
- Fery's performance showcased his ability to convert break points effectively.
- Medical issues were a concern for Fery during the match.
- Fery aims to capitalize on this victory in the next round.
- Cobolli's previous achievements in Davis Cup highlight his capabilities.
Melbourne, Jan 18 (NationPress) In a stunning turn of events at the Australian Open 2026, Arthur Fery, currently ranked No. 185 globally and a qualifier from Britain, marked the tournament's opening day by defeating 20th seed Flavio Cobolli with a score of 7-6(1), 6-4, 6-1.
Fery, who previously achieved a first-round victory over the 20th seed Alexei Popyrin at Wimbledon last year, continues to impress. Notably, he defeated Popyrin, who was also seeded 20th, in January.
This match was Fery's third of the 2026 season. He holds a 1-1 record from the United Cup, where he triumphed over Stan Wawrinka in three sets but faced a tough loss against Arthur Rinderknech in a marathon match lasting over three hours.
The 23-year-old showcased a remarkable performance, converting six of ten break points in a match that lasted 2 hours and 12 minutes. He also dealt with a stomach issue, taking medical time-outs after the initial three games and receiving doctor visits throughout the match, which may have impacted his play.
“It’s an incredible experience to play in my first main-draw Slam outside of Wimbledon, and it certainly lived up to the hype on such a fantastic court with amazing fans,” Fery shared during his on-court interview.
Fery’s aggressive baseline tactics proved challenging for Cobolli at John Cain Arena. Starting the Grand Slam with a ranking of 185, Fery is eager to carry this momentum into the next round, where he is set to face either Miomir Kecmanovic or Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Meanwhile, Cobolli contributed to Italy's third consecutive Davis Cup victory last November, playing a pivotal role by clinching the final match against Spain and saving seven match points in the semi-finals against Zizou Bergs from Belgium.