Lexus Birmingham Open 2026: Arthur Fery battles through three sets to reach first ATP Challenger quarter-final
• 3 minute read
British star Arthur Fery dug deep to come through three sets against Australia's Alex Bolt to book his place in the Lexus Birmingham Open quarter-finals.
The 23-year-old showed his spirit, fighting back from a tough tie-break loss to take the match at 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3 in two hours and 21 minutes.
The Brit is looking to pick up his second ATP Challenger tour title and his first on grass as he moves thorugh to his first quarter-final on the surface.
Awaiting him in the next round is fifth seed Rinky Hijikata who reached the quarter-finals for the second year in a row at the Edgebaston Priory Club after he saw off Mackenzie McDonald earlier today.
Speaking on court after the match, Fery spoke about the emotions he felt and how he was able to come through such a tight match:
"It was tough to regroup after losing the second set, but it was obviously vital that I did that and I managed to hang on at the start of the third. I managed to get myself going again and obviously with your help as well - everyone in the stands - it was great"
"It's a game of small margins on grass as we all know. I held my serve, I didn't get broken once, and Alex only got broken twice."
"I made a conscious effort in the third to try to be positive, to keep myself positive and kind of forget about what happened before. That was very important to get the win."
Fery showed his serving prowess on centre court today against the Australian who currently ranks just two places higher than him.
The Brit convincingly held serve in what proved to be a tight opener, winning 81% of the points on his serve (21/26) and hitting 17 winners.
The 23-year-old kept his nerve at the big moments - picking up a crucial break on his third ask to go ahead 3-2. From there, he held onto the lead before serving out the opener on his third set point.
The second set continued in a tight fashion, with the Brit being forced to save four break point opportunities in the middle of the set before fending off two set points at 5-4.
Fery remained calm in the business end of the set, some big serves helping him quickly go up 4-0 in the tie-break. However, the Australian wasn't done yet and won the next 5 points before a long ball from the Brit wrapped up the second set.
The British No.7, who reached the second round in his Wimbledon main draw debut last year, was hot on Bolt’s heels going into the third, creating pressure on his serve from the off.
He was rewarded with a decisive break at 3-2 before consolidating with a love hold to be within one game from the match.
Serving for the set, Fery didn’t show any nerves as he powered his fifteenth ace down the T to book his spot in the quarter-finals.
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