Fery’s Cincinnati run ends as 11 break chances slip away

By GlobeBids Sports Desk | Published 18 August 2026 | Match data: LTA Tennis News

Arthur Fery’s Cincinnati Open run ended in the third round after fifth seed Alex de Minaur prevailed 7-5, 7-6(3) in a closely contested match lasting two hours and six minutes.

The British player led during the opening set and recovered from 5-1 down in the second, but his missed opportunities proved costly. De Minaur saved 11 of the 13 break points he faced, while converting three of his own four chances against Fery.

De Minaur turns the opening set at 5-5

Fery made an assured start around the first of several rain interruptions. He created three break points while leading 2-1 but could not convert any of them, allowing the world No.8 to remain level despite spending much of the set under pressure.

The decisive opening arrived at 5-5. Facing break point, De Minaur produced a diving forehand that landed at the feet of the advancing Fery, securing the Australian’s first lead of the match. He then served out the set to love before another heavy downpour stopped play.

That sequence captured the narrow difference between the players. Fery repeatedly put the fifth seed’s serve under strain, but De Minaur delivered his strongest tennis when the score left little room for error.

Five-game comeback forces a tie-break

De Minaur carried his momentum through the delay and moved 5-1 ahead in the second set. Fery appeared close to defeat before another interruption gave him an opportunity to reset.

The Briton returned with greater aggression and reeled off five consecutive games, turning a seemingly settled set into a 6-5 lead. His resistance ensured De Minaur had to win the match through a tie-break rather than serve it out from a commanding position.

Fery could not extend the comeback. De Minaur remained faultless on his own serve during the tie-break and took it 7-3, completing the victory in straight sets. His wife, British No.2 Katie Boulter, watched from the stands.

Break-point efficiency decides a tight contest

The result rested less on the number of chances created than on how the two players used them. Fery earned 13 break points and converted two, a success rate of just over 15%. De Minaur converted three of four, turning 75% of his opportunities into breaks.

That efficiency allowed the Australian to survive stretches in which Fery was dictating play. The British player won enough return points to threaten both sets, but De Minaur protected his serve at the moments that carried the greatest weight.

Fery’s Cincinnati breakthrough nevertheless leaves him with tangible progress at ATP Masters 1000 level. He recorded his first victory in this tier of tournament against James Duckworth earlier in the week, having entered among the British players to watch in the Cincinnati draw.

His next confirmed national-team milestone is Great Britain’s Davis Cup tie against Ecuador on 19-20 September. Fery was named alongside Cam Norrie, Henry Patten and Lloyd Glasspool in the British squad announced before his Cincinnati third-round match.

Source: LTA Tennis News