Britain's Arthur Fery defeated Australia's James Duckworth 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4) at the Cincinnati Open on 15 August 2026, marking his first match since a surprise run to the Wimbledon semi-finals. In a separate result, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic lost to Argentina's Thiago Tirante after visibly struggling with hot and humid conditions, later revealing he manages an ongoing health condition.
Fery, now ranked a career-high 36th in the world following his Wimbledon breakthrough, needed two hours and 34 minutes to see off Duckworth in Ohio as part of his preparation for next month's US Open. According to the Lawn Tennis Association, the win was Fery's first at Masters 1000 level and came after he received a bye through the opening round.
The 24-year-old entered Wimbledon ranked 114th in the world, having never previously advanced past the second round of a Grand Slam event, before defying expectations to reach the last four, where he was beaten by Alexander Zverev. Fery was the lowest-ranked player to reach a Wimbledon semi-final since Goran Ivanisevic in 2001.
After his Wimbledon run, Fery took a short break before entering a training block at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton to prepare for the North American hard-court season.
Who does Fery face next?
Fery, seeded 32nd in what is only his second Masters 1000 tournament, is scheduled to meet Australian fifth seed Alex de Minaur in the third round on 17 August 2026, according to ESPN's tournament draw. De Minaur has already advanced to that stage after beating Quentin Halys, as reported by beIN Sports.
Fellow Briton Cameron Norrie was eliminated from the tournament, losing 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 to Germany's top seed Zverev.
What happened to Djokovic during his match?
Djokovic dropped to his hands and knees and required a medical timeout during the second set before ultimately losing 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to Tirante, who is ranked 50th in the world.
It was not an enjoyable match for me, for sure. The way I felt. Not the first and I guess not the last time, but it is what it is.
Djokovic, 39 and currently ranked fifth in the world, was playing his first match since losing to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals in July. The Serbian had never previously failed to reach at least the last 32 in Cincinnati since his debut there in 2005.
Despite winning the first set, Djokovic faded badly after an 18-minute third game in the second set and appeared to vomit twice during the match. A physio and a doctor attended to him on court, and both players left for the locker rooms after the second set concluded.
When play resumed, Djokovic lost his serve in the ninth game of the third set, allowing Tirante to close out the victory.
What is Djokovic's health condition?
Djokovic disclosed that he has been managing a chronic health issue that intensifies in hot and humid weather.
It's just a condition that I have, health-wise, that has been bothering me for the past couple of years. [It causes] a lot of issues, especially when it is humid and it is hot.
Tirante, who claimed the biggest win of his career, praised his own composure against such a high-profile opponent.
I managed the nerves of playing a legend like Novak. It was all so much pressure.
Key Facts
- Arthur Fery beat James Duckworth 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4) in Cincinnati on 15 August 2026, his first Masters 1000 win according to the Lawn Tennis Association.
- Fery, seeded 32nd and ranked a career-high 36th, will play fifth seed Alex de Minaur in round three on 17 August 2026.
- Novak Djokovic lost 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to Thiago Tirante after struggling with heat and humidity, and later revealed a long-term health condition.
- Cameron Norrie was eliminated from the tournament, losing to top seed Alexander Zverev 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
