Cincinnati Open: Britain's Arthur Fery loses despite thrilling fightback vs Alex de Minaur after rain delays
Britain's Arthur Fery, semi-finalist at Wimbledon this year, fights from a set and 5-1 behind in second to move 6-5 up after lengthy rain delay; Australian opponent Alex de Minaur, fifth seed, forces tiebreak to claim win; watch US Open live on Sky Sports from August 30
Monday 17 August 2026 23:57, UK
Britain's Arthur Fery was knocked out of the Cincinnati Open, but only after a thrilling fightback was halted by Alex de Minaur following several rain delays.
In the end, fifth seed De Minaur ground out a 7-5 7-6 (7-3) win, but rain delays occurred before the contest, after the first game, following the end of the first set and with De Minaur 7-5 5-1 ahead, one game from the last-16 stage.
Yet, following the resumption Fery proceeded to rattle off five games in a row in a complete momentum shift, breaking De Minaur twice to move 6-5 ahead, only for the Australian to regain his composure and force a tiebreak.
Once there, De Minaur's quality shone through and the 27-year-old will next face the winner of Arthur Fils vs Jiri Lehecka for a place in the quarter-finals.
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With the start of the US Open just around the corner, live on Sky Sports, Britain's 24-year-old Fery is looking to build on his stunning run to the Wimbledon semi-finals in July.
Earlier on Monday, Fery was named in the Great Britain Davis Cup team for the home qualifying tie against Ecuador next month.
He is joined by Cameron Norrie and doubles players Henry Patten and Lloyd Glasspool.
Fery featured in Britain's Davis Cup play-off against Poland in September 2025, beating Olaf Pieczkowski in straight sets to help seal progress to the 2026 Qualifiers.
There remains a fifth spot up for grabs, which could go to Jack Draper if the former world No 4 can get back to fitness after an injury-ravaged year.
Swiatek fights from set down to get past Sakkari in Cincinnati
Defending champion Iga Swiatek recovered from a set down to defeat Maria Sakkari at the Cincinnati Open and earn her seventh-straight win at the competition on Monday.
Swiatek lifted her first title of 2026 in Toronto less than a week ago, and signs in the opening set indicated the Pole could be struggling with fatigue as No 29 seed Sakkari took it 6-4.
But the world No 5 - seeded seventh in Cincinnati - quickly put any concerns to bed by winning the next two with a score of 6-1 to knock out the Greek and extend her current winning streak to eight matches.
Swiatek will next face world No 66 Diane Parry of France in the Round of 16 at the 1000-level event.
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