Arthur Fery has become only the second British wildcard to reach week two of Wimbledon with an epic five-set victory over Zizou Bergs.
The 23-year-old showed unbelievable courage to fight back from the brink of defeat - twice - before claiming a 2-6 7-5 2-6 7-6 (3) 7-6 (10/5) victory after four hours and 38 minutes.
The Londoner, ranked 114 in the world, needed treatment three times for persistent nosebleeds, a problem that has dogged him throughout the tournament, while he was 4-1 down in both the fourth and fifth sets.
It was the first five-set win of Fery’s career and comfortably the longest match of his life, while he is only the second British wildcard to reach the last 16 at a grand slam after Andrew Foster here in 1993.
His win means Great Britain retains an interest in the singles after an extremely tough week for home players.
Fery found himself back on Court 18 after his second-round victory there against Otto Virtanen, which raised some eyebrows.
He was happy with the assignment, although he said he had not asked for it, but is keen for one of the bigger stadiums in the fourth round.
“I think it’s time to move on,” he said. “I’ll keep those great memories on 18 from today and Thursday for the rest of my life. I’m sure I’ll play again on there at some point. We’ll see what Monday holds for me.”
Fery now faces Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, who won another dramatic five-set match, defeating Italian Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3 on Centre Court.
Fery is French by birth and heritage but moved to London as a baby and grew up only a few minutes from the All England Club.
He enjoyed raucous support from the home fans, particularly in the latter stages, and he said: “Obviously, it’s unbelievable to have support.
“It definitely helps me. Clearly at the end of the fifth, the crowd played a huge part in that. I was really, really grateful to have them behind me.
“Playing on a bigger court, obviously it’s going to be, not a new experience, but a great experience that I’m looking forward to. There’s obviously pressure associated to it. But I’ve now already played a few matches in front of big crowds.”
Fery has had nosebleeds in each of his three matches but here it became a real issue, with the new British number two needing treatment for the first time after four games, again before the deciding set and then, most awkwardly, while he was leading 40-15 at 4-5.
“I can’t do much about it,” said Fery. “There’s times where it breaks my momentum. I can obviously understand it’s frustrating for the opponent as well to constantly have to wait.”
A distraught Bergs had no complaints afterwards but it was clear how much the result and the nature of it hurt the Belgian, who had also been looking to reach the fourth round at a grand slam for the first time.
No sooner had the 27-year-old walked into the press conference room than he walked out again in tears, eventually composing himself enough to say: “You feel you put yourself in many positions to be better, to win the match, and for some reason it doesn’t want to fall on my side today and he was just playing better when it mattered.”
Bergs, who is named after former French footballer Zinedine Zidane, is ranked at a career-high 37 after winning his maiden title in Eastbourne last weekend and he was a class above in the opening set.
Fery found his footing in the second, helped by some ill-timed double faults from his opponent, but Bergs wrestled back control in the third and looked to be cruising through to the last 16 at 4-1 and two breaks up in the fourth.
The Belgian wobbled, though, and Fery took full advantage, turning on the style in the tie-break before a long break during which both players received medical treatment and went off court to change their clothes.
Bergs looked the fresher at the beginning of the decider but Fery knew his rival might tighten up in sight of the line and it was no surprise when the home hope proved stronger in the tie-break.
“A lot of first times today for me,” said a delighted Fery. “I’m just so proud of how I handled everything.
“First (win in a) five-setter, longest match that I’ve ever played, first time breaking into the top 100, first second week in a slam, all at home, five minutes from where I grew up. It’s a great story for me.
“I was just trying to back my fighting spirit and use that to my advantage and just try and base my whole game around that. Just keep going.”
