Tennis Australian Open Australian Open Men's Singles -

Watch VAR controversy as GB's Arthur Fery accused of touching net at key moment in huge upset win over Flavio Cobolli at Australian Open

React to this story

British No. 7 Arthur Fery managed to cause a big early upset as he defeated No. 20 seed Flavio Cobolli in straights sets on the opening day at the Australian Open. Fery, who is appearing at his first overseas Grand Slam, fell on the right side of a lengthy video review in the opening set, after Cobolli complained the Brit had touched the net on break point in a moment of controversy down under.

Watch controversy unfold as Britain's Fery touches net while winning point

Video credit: TNT Sports

It did not take long for major controversy to strike at the Australian Open, as a near-five minute video review fell in favour of British qualifier Arthur Fery as he caused a huge first-round upset against Flavio Cobolli.

With two break points against his No. 20-seeded opponent at 3-3 in the first set, Fery was pulled uncomfortably close to the net, pushing back down the line, before Cobolli's attempted cross-court winner bounced wide.

However, attention soon turned towards whether Fery had made contact with the net following his venture forward. Cobolli felt there was an infringement, requesting a video review from the umpire, but few could have foreseen the forensic examination which followed.

Wimbledon Men's Singles -

Zverev and diabetes - How Wimbledon finalist manages his condition

12/07/2026 at 16:31

"It's a good call," TNT Sports commentator Paul Hand said. "Did he indeed touch the net before the ball went out? They will go upstairs and check that out."

As the wait for a verdict continued, both players appeared increasingly keen to return to action.

"A curious look from Flavio Cobolli to the umpire to say, can we crack on with things please?" Hand remarked.

Slow-motion replays appeared to show Fery narrowly avoiding contact with the net, as he twisted and turned away in an attempt to halt his momentum.

Watch highlights as British qualifier Fery causes big upset to down Cobolli

Video credit: TNT Sports

Hand added: "Pretty agile there, contorting his body out of the way of the net, looks like he didn't touch it."

Indeed, those observations were backed up by the eventual verdict that Fery had only made contact with the net after Cobolli's attempted winner landed out - giving the Brit a leg-up in the first set en route to the historic upset.

He would go on to surrender that advantage, but triumphed 7-1 in a dominant tie-break with four mini-breaks, before wrapping up the following sets in an altogether more comfortable style, 6-4 6-1.

The Australian Open is Fery's first Grand Slam overseas. He has made three appearances at Wimbledon, including when he stunned Alexei Popyrin - also seeded No. 20 - last year.

Speaking on the video review controversy, the British men's No. 7 said: "I knew I hadn't really touched the net, so I guess more time to recover."

Shortly after the incident, Fery himself requested a video review, another which was ruled in his favour, after he argued Cobolli hit an underarm serve while a ball kid was still moving on the court.

"I didn't know what was going on there, but I knew it was worth it," Fery said of the review. "When I asked for the video replay, I knew the ball kid was still running, so it was worth the wait."

Watch as British qualifier Fery stuns Cobolli and celebrates 'biggest win'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Cobolli appeared to be struggling with a stomach issue during the match, but Fery said his full focus was on his own game, rather than trying to pounce on his opponent's physical shortcomings.

"I wasn't really paying too much attention to him," Fery said. "Obviously, he had the physios on and off the court at the start. I knew his stomach was bothering him.

"But then he broke me a few times and was encouraging himself. Yeah, there was nothing really that I could do about his physical state. I just tried to focus on myself and put my game on the court and my best foot forward every time."

Fery, who studied at Stanford University and still has one year remaining to complete his course on technology in society, said it was "very satisfying" that he managed to prove he is capable of an upset outside of the All England Club.

"I was already happy to qualify here for my first time in the qualies of a slam on my own," he said. "And, yeah, now obviously coming through qualies and winning a round it's, yeah, I'm proud of it.

"I mean, I was hoping that at some point I was going to be able to play other slams without needing wildcards. So yeah, that's a good step forward for my career for sure."

Fery will face Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round.

Stream every match of the 2026 Australian Open live and on-demand on discovery+.

Wimbledon