Arthur Fery's US Open debut ended in the first round on Tuesday, with the British No. 1 losing to Italy's Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets. The match, which began over four hours late due to rain, concluded with a 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 victory for Musetti.
Fery, who reached the Wimbledon semifinals as a wildcard just two months prior, struggled against the higher-ranked Musetti on a humid afternoon in New York. Musetti, ranked world No. 14, appeared in control for much of the match, despite recently returning from injury. Fery's game, which relies on variety and net play, was at times exploited by Musetti's strategic shots, including lobs that landed in play over Fery's head.
While Fery showed flashes of his potential, particularly in the opening games and a late surge in the third set where he secured two breaks of Musetti's serve, he was unable to sustain the pressure. His service game faltered, and a code violation for audible obscenity occurred as he fell behind late in the third set.
This US Open appearance comes after a significant rise for Fery, who was ranked No. 1,871 in January 2025 and reached the Winston-Salem Open final shortly before the US Open. The demanding schedule may have contributed to his performance, presenting a lesson in calendar management for the young British player.
Other British players are also competing in the tournament. Qualifier Toby Samuel, who has climbed into the top 100 after a strong run, is set to face world No. 19 Jiri Lehecka. Katie Boulter is scheduled to play Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova, while Jan Choinski and Francesca Jones have had their matches delayed by rain.