Arthur Fery of Britain reacts after winning against Zizou Bergs of Belgium in their third round men's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London on Saturday.Brian Inganga/The Associated Press
Britain’s Arthur Fery kept the home flag flying at Wimbledon as he defied a nosebleed in a thrilling fightback against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs to reach the last 16 on Saturday.
Fans crammed around Court 18 roared on the 23-year-old as he battled back from nowhere to win 2-6 7-5 2-6 7-6(3) 7-6(5) in the longest match so far at this year’s championships.
Britain lost 15 of its 19 singles starters in round one and wildcard Fery was the only one to reach the third round.
He looked to be heading for defeat against 37th ranked Bergs when he trailed by two sets to one and a double break of serve.
Fery hugs Bergs after winning their men's singles third round tennis match on the sixth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon on Saturday.KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
Bergs tightened up though and his serve failed him as Fery stormed back to set up a deciding set.
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In a raucous atmosphere, with crowds wedged on every vantage point in the late afternoon sunshine, Bergs moved 4-1 ahead in the fifth set, but again he could not shake off Fery.
A nosebleed for Fery when he served at 4-5 added to the drama but he looked the far calmer player as the deciding first-to-10 tiebreaker began.
With error flying off the racket of a crestfallen Bergs, Fery completed victory before collapsing onto his back in relief and exhaustion after four hours and 38 minutes.
Fery is the first British wildcard to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon since Andrew Foster in 1993 but with his ranking set to go into the top-100, the France-born player is now set to become a regular on the ATP Tour.