Fery's US Open debut ends in first-round loss to Musetti
British number one Arthur Fery lost his opening match at the US Open to Italy's Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets, failing to repeat his Wimbledon semi-final run.
Arthur Fery's first US Open appearance ended in a first-round defeat as Italy's Lorenzo Musetti, the 13th seed, won 6-3, 6-3, 7-5. The 24-year-old Briton was hoping to build on his remarkable run to the Wimbledon semi-finals this summer, which lifted him from 114th in the rankings to inside the top 40.
Fery arrived in New York as world number 33, just outside the seeded positions, and his draw pitted him against Musetti, a player back from a thigh injury that had kept him out of the previous two Grand Slam tournaments. Musetti had reached the US Open quarter-finals a year ago and showed his class on Grandstand, the venue where Fery had been expected to thrive.
The match was delayed by rain and played in hot, humid conditions. Fery wore ear plugs during changeovers, as he had at Wimbledon, to stay focused. His inventive play and early net approaches tested Musetti, but he could not maintain the standard.
Musetti's one-handed backhand repeatedly caused problems. He took the first set after Fery produced a double fault, and moved ahead in the second with a backhand winner on break point. Although Fery broke for the first time to lead 2-0 in the third set, Musetti responded immediately and reeled off four games in a row. Fery saved one match point and broke back to level at 5-5, but Musetti eventually closed out on his third match point, pointing to his head in celebration.
Fery had made only one previous Grand Slam appearance outside Britain, at the Australian Open in January. His US Open debut was also his second overseas major. Despite the defeat, his summer has already included a first ATP Tour final at the Winston-Salem Open.
Musetti will next face Australian Dane Sweeny in the second round.
