Fery, who entered the contest following a notable run to the semi-finals at Wimbledon earlier this summer, struggled to find his rhythm against a formidable opponent. Musetti, who previously reached the quarter-finals at this event, maintained control for the majority of the match to dampen the momentum the 24-year-old Brit had built during his recent grass-court campaign.
Musetti maintains control as Fery mounts late challenge
The Italian 13th seed dictated the tempo early on, comfortably securing the first two sets as Fery struggled to contain his opponent's baseline game. Musetti’s tactical consistency proved difficult for the debutant to break down, leaving the Brit trailing significantly as the match progressed into the third set.
However, Fery demonstrated resilience in the final set, providing his most competitive tennis of the afternoon. He managed to secure an early break to lead 2-0, and despite falling behind 4-2 later in the set, he fought back to level the score at 5-5. The comeback attempt was ultimately halted when Musetti broke serve once more, subsequently holding his nerve to serve out the match and confirm his place in the next round.
For Fery, the defeat marks a challenging transition back to the hard courts following his career-high ranking of No. 33. While the result did not go his way, the experience of competing on the main stage at Flushing Meadows serves as a significant milestone in his professional development. Musetti now advances, looking to build on his strong start as the tournament continues.
