What's happened
23-year-old qualifier Fery, ranked 185th, defeated Italian Cobolli in straight sets at the Australian Open, marking his second Grand Slam win. His victory was boosted by Cobolli's physical struggles and Fery's aggressive play, advancing him to the second round.
What's behind the headline?
Fery's victory underscores the importance of mental resilience and tactical intelligence in tennis. Despite his lower ranking and physical disadvantages, Fery exploited Cobolli's health issues and played aggressively, illustrating that skill and strategy can triumph over raw power. This win signals a potential breakthrough for Fery, who now faces higher-ranked opponents. The match also highlights how physical health can dramatically influence outcomes in high-stakes tournaments. Expect Fery to continue leveraging his court intelligence and resilience, potentially disrupting higher-ranked players and gaining more recognition on the ATP Tour.
What the papers say
Sky News reports Fery's victory as a significant milestone in his career, emphasizing his strategic play and emotional moment with his mother. BBC News highlights Cobolli's physical struggles and Fery's smart, aggressive approach, noting his previous win at Wimbledon and his rise from injuries. Both sources agree on Fery's impressive performance, but Sky News focuses more on the emotional aspect, while BBC provides detailed match analysis and background context.
How we got here
Fery, a London-born player, has steadily risen through the ranks, with a notable win at Wimbledon last year. His journey includes overcoming injuries and limited funding, with a breakthrough last year when he qualified for the Paris Olympics. His current success at the Australian Open reflects years of perseverance and strategic play on big stages.
Go deeper
- How did Fery prepare for this match?
- What are Fery's chances in the next round?
- How does this victory impact his career trajectory?
More on these topics
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The Australian Open is a tennis tournament held annually over the last fortnight of January in Melbourne, Australia. The tournament is the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events held each year excepting 1986, preceding the French Open, Wimbledon, and
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Arthur Fery (born 12 July 2002) is a British tennis player.
Fery has a career high ATP singles ranking of 672 achieved on 9 May 2022. He also has a career high ATP doubles ranking of 517 achieved on 13 June 2022.
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Flavio Cobolli is an Italian professional tennis player. He has a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 24, achieved on 16 June 2025 and a doubles ranking of No. 191, achieved on 19 May 2025. He is currently the No. 3 player from Italy.