'My most proud day' - GB's Fery upsets 20th seed Popyrin at Wimbledon

 

British wildcard and world number 461 Arthur Fery described his huge upset of 20th seed Alexei Popyrin on the opening day of Wimbledon as "the most proud day" of his tennis career.

The 22-year-old, who attended school a short distance from the historic venue, stunned Masters 1000 champion Popyrin 6-4 6-1 4-6 6-4 to secure his place in the second round.

Fery had not been past the first round in his only two previous attempts, while injury had seen him drop out of the top 400 in the world.

He will next face Italian Luciano Darderi, who is ranked 59th.

"It's probably the most proud day in terms of my tennis career," Fery said.

"It's great, and hopefully I can keep going and stay healthy for the rest of the year."

Fery's victory followed another impressive win for a Briton in the men's draw, after qualifier Oliver Tarvet beat Leandro Riedi on 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 and world number 151 Billy Harris also progressed, with the latter securing his first win at Wimbledon.

However, British number two Jacob Fearnley and wildcards Oliver Crawford and Henry Searle were knocked out.

Thirty-year-old Harris, who qualified for the main draw on ranking for the first time after being a wildcard last year, beat Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 6-3 6-2 6-4.

He next faces Nuno Borges of Portugal.

Crawford was beaten by Italian world number 73 Mattia Bellucci 6-7 (7-2) 6-3 6-4 6-4, while 19-year-old Searle - who won the boys' Wimbledon title two years ago - was beaten 4-6 6-2 7-6 (13-11) 6-2 by American Ethan Quinn.