Britain’s Fery causes first shock of Australian Open

British qualifier Arthur Fery claimed another notable Grand Slam scalp by beating Italian 20th seed Flavio Cobolli to cause the first shock on day one of the Australian Open.

World number 185 Fery matched the biggest win of his career with a 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 6-1 victory at a sun-soaked Melbourne Park.

The 23-year-old, making his main draw debut at an overseas Grand Slam, beat 20th seed Alexei Popyrin at Wimbledon last year.

Cobolli was struggling physically from the start with a stomach issue, running off court at the end of the opening set for a toilet break.

“It seems I like drawing 20th seeds at Grand Slams,” Fery joked afterwards.

“I love playing on big courts and big stages.”

Cobolli took electrolyte tablets provided by the doctor after going off court, then asked to see the medical staff again after going 3-0 down in the third set.

Nevertheless, Fery deserves huge credit for the way he approached the situation against Wimbledon quarter-finalist Cobolli.

The Londoner, who grew up close to the All England Club in Wimbledon, played smartly and aggressively, moving Cobolli around the court.

The 5ft 9in Fery lacks the punch of some opponents on serve, but illustrated there is plenty of venom in his groundstrokes as he fired forehands past his opponent.

A desolate-looking Cobolli continued to struggle physically, with a series of double faults helping Fery to a 5-1 lead in the third set.

Fery then had no issue serving out for the second Grand Slam victory – and only the third tour-level win – of his career.

He will face Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry – the world number 61 who came through in five sets to beat Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic – in the second round.