This video can not be played 'Phenomenal' Fery as GB wildcard knocks out 20th seed Popyrin British wildcard Arthur Fery produced a huge upset on the opening day of Wimbledon by knocking out 20th seed Alexei Popyrin. The 22-year-old Fery is ranked 461st in the world and arrived at this tournament having never won a professional tour-level match before. However, he stunned Masters 1000 champion Popyrin 6-4 6-1 4-6 6-4 to secure his place in the second round. Fery's victory followed another impressive win for a Brit in the men's draw, after qualifierOliver Tarvet beat Leandro Riedion his Wimbledon debut. Frey and Tarvet are among 23 British players who featured in the first round of the men's and women's main draw at Wimbledon - the most in 41 years. Former British number one Cameron Norrie also progressed, but British number two Jacob Fearnley and wildcard Oliver Crawford were knocked out. Crawford was beaten by Italian world number 73 Mattia Bellucci 6-7 (7-2) 6-3 6-4 6-4. Arthur Frey went to school in Wimbledon Fearnley saw his Wimbledon tournament ended in the first round as he was beaten by Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca. Fearnley, 23, had never lost an opening-round match at a Grand Slam before but was outclassed by his 18-year-old opponent 6-4 6-1 7-6 (7-5) This was only Fonseca's second victory on grass but he has caught the eye this year with a number of impressive performances, beating Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open in January and thenwinning his first ATP Tour title in Februarywith the Argentina Open. Fearnley has enjoyed his own meteoric rise in recent times, climbing from outside the top 500 just over a year ago to arriving at this tournament 51st in the world. He had looked set to grab the first-set advantage, hitting a fine overhead volley on his way to securing three break points. But Fonseca took the next eight points in a row to turn the match on its head, claiming the break himself and then serving out for the first set. Fearnley had no answer for Fonseca in a damaging second set that lasted just 23 minutes and although he put up more of a fight in the third, the teenager edged the tie-break to progress. It was a gruelling start in the heat at Wimbledon,which recorded its hottest-ever opening dayas temperatures surpassed 32C. Norrie was in action at its peak in the middle of the afternoon but he came through the tough conditions to beat Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3 3-6 6-4 7-6 (7-3). The 29-year-old beat the current British number one Jack Draperat Wimbledon last yearand previously reached the semi-finals, but his form dipped after that and he almost dropped out of the top 100. But he has been revitalised on grass and continued that momentum with his first win on the grass this year. He next faces 12th seed Frances Tiafoe.
GB's Fery upsets 20th seed Popyrin at Wimbledon
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"British Wildcard Arthur Fery Upsets 20th Seed Alexei Popyrin at Wimbledon"
Bbc News
8.5
TruthLens AI Summary
Arthur Fery, a 22-year-old British wildcard ranked 461st in the world, achieved a remarkable upset on the opening day of Wimbledon by defeating the 20th seed, Alexei Popyrin. Fery, who had never won a match at the professional tour level prior to this tournament, showcased an impressive performance, winning the match with a score of 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. This victory is particularly significant as it highlights Fery's potential and the growing strength of British tennis, especially with the participation of 23 British players in the first round of the men's and women's draws, the highest number in 41 years. Alongside Fery's success, fellow Brit Oliver Tarvet also made headlines by winning his debut match at Wimbledon against Leandro Riedi, contributing to a promising start for British players in this prestigious tournament.
In contrast to Fery's triumph, British number two Jacob Fearnley faced early elimination after being defeated by Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca. Fearnley, who recently climbed to 51st in the world rankings, had never lost an opening-round match at a Grand Slam before this encounter. The match saw Fearnley struggle against Fonseca's strong performance, particularly in the second set, which lasted only 23 minutes. Despite Fearnley’s efforts to regain control in the third set, he ultimately lost the tie-break. Meanwhile, former British number one Cameron Norrie advanced to the second round, overcoming the challenges posed by the sweltering conditions on the hottest opening day in Wimbledon history, with temperatures exceeding 32°C. Norrie defeated Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut in a closely contested match, and he will now face 12th seed Frances Tiafoe in the next round. Overall, the first day of Wimbledon showcased both the potential and challenges faced by British players on the international stage.
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