British number one Arthur Fery's US Open debut ended in the first round with a straight-sets defeat by Italy's 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti, denying him a repeat of his breakthrough Wimbledon run this summer. Fery, 24, had surged into the world's top 40 after reaching the semi-finals at his home Grand Slam, but narrowly missed a seeded position in New York and drew the dangerous Musetti in his opening match. The result matters because it tempers expectations after a remarkable rise, though Fery's overall 2026 season remains one of the best of his career.

Musetti won 6-3 6-3 7-5 in a two-hour contest played in hot, humid conditions on a rain-delayed day at Flushing Meadows. Fery, ranked outside the top 200 a year ago, showed flashes of the inventive net play that defined his Wimbledon run and fought back from two sets down before ultimately succumbing on Musetti's third match point. It was only Fery's second overseas Grand Slam appearance, and Musetti now advances to face Australia's Dane Sweeny, while British interest in the men's draw continues with Jacob Fearnley, Toby Samuel and Jan Choinski.