Arthur Fery was happy his mum’s last-minute dash across the world was not in vain after he posted another statement grand slam win on his Australian Open debut.
The 23-year-old Londoner came through qualifying without dropping a set and impressed hugely on John Cain Arena in a 7-6 (1) 6-4 6-1 victory against an out-of-sorts Flavio Cobolli, who was struggling with stomach problems.
The win comes six months after Fery toppled 20th seed Alexei Popyrin on home soil at Wimbledon, so being paired with the equivalent player here could have been considered a good omen.
While Fery’s father and siblings watched in the early hours back home, his mother Olivia, herself a former professional tennis player, decided to make the trip to Melbourne after his final qualifying win.
“When I won that last round, she asked me if she could come,” said Fery. “I said, ‘Of course, it would be nice to have you here’. It’s obviously a long way, but at least I made it worth it. She can see at least two matches – hopefully more.”
Fery’s father Loic is also involved in professional sport as the owner and president of French top-flight football club Lorient.
Fery, who was born in France but grew up in Wimbledon, said: “It definitely really helped when I was younger in my development to have two parents who know how pro sport works and the pressures of it and keeping a good balance. I’m very lucky for that.”
In scenes more reminiscent of football, there were two lengthy delays in the opening set after both players called for video reviews.
Cobolli, who reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon last summer, argued Fery had touched the net in the seventh game, while the British player challenged in the ninth game when he believed his opponent had hit an underarm serve while a ball boy was still moving.
Both were obvious calls – with Fery on the right side both times – yet they took several minutes to resolve, with the players left waiting impatiently to continue.
“I didn’t know what was going on there, but I knew it was worth it,” said Fery. “When I asked for the video replay, I knew the ball kid was still running, so it was worth the wait.”
Fery, who is ranked down at 185, was playing in just his fifth main draw match at a grand slam but he possesses a great self assurance.
A standout junior, he chose to delay his transition to the professional game to go to Stanford University, while his progress has also been held up by struggles with bone bruising in his arm – the same injury which is keeping Jack Draper off court.
An up-and-down first set saw Fery twice lead by a break, fail to serve it out but then profit from a terrible tie-break played by his erratic and troubled opponent.
Fery is listed at a generous 5ft 9in by the ATP but compensates for his lack of height with terrific athleticism and a fast arm, and he was in complete control when he played a superb returning game to take the second set before breezing through the third.
He next faces Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Fery said: “I just feel really confident. I feel I don’t have to overplay to play with guys like that.”
