The 2026 Australian Open has delivered its first seismic shock, courtesy of Great Britain's Arthur Fery. The young Brit produced a stunning first-round victory, dismantling the tournament's 20th seed, Italy's Flavio Cobolli, in a display of grit and skill that lasted just over two hours.
A Commanding Performance Down Under
Fery showcased remarkable composure to secure one of the biggest wins of his career. He demonstrated clinical efficiency, winning six out of ten break points and capitalising heavily on his opponent's errors. The match turned decisively in Fery's favour as he dominated the closing stages, winning eight of the final nine games to seal a memorable triumph.
The opening set was not without controversy, featuring lengthy delays as both players utilised the video review system. Fery's challenge proved correct when he questioned a Cobolli underarm serve that occurred while a ball boy was still moving behind the baseline. His opponent, Cobolli, was visibly struggling with a stomach illness throughout the contest, requiring multiple medical visits, but Fery remained unfocused and executed his aggressive baseline strategy to perfection.
From Stanford Standout to Grand Slam Giant-Killer
This is not Fery's first taste of causing a major upset at a Grand Slam. His victory mirrors a similar breakthrough at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, where he also toppled the 20th seed, Australia's Alexei Popyrin, in the opening round. Fery has further proven his versatility by reaching the third round of the Wimbledon doubles tournament.
Before turning professional, Fery was a collegiate star at Stanford University in the United States. He earned two-time ITA All-American honours and achieved a national No. 1 singles ranking, following a path trodden by legends like John McEnroe. He arrived in Melbourne with growing momentum, having won his first ATP Challenger title in Barranquilla in August 2025 and making a successful Davis Cup debut for Great Britain last year with a straight-sets win.
What's Next for the British Sensation?
Fery's reward for this monumental win is a second-round clash scheduled for Wednesday against Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Etcheverry earned his place after surviving a gruelling five-set battle against Miomir Kecmanovic that lasted over four hours, potentially giving the fresher Fery a physical advantage.
Tennis excellence runs in the Fery family. His mother, Olivia, was a professional player who reached a career-high ranking of 200 and competed at Roland Garros. His father, Loïc Fery, is a prominent businessman and the owner of French Ligue 1 football club FC Lorient. With this stunning victory, Arthur Fery has emphatically announced himself on the global stage and will look to continue his giant-killing run in Melbourne.
