Etcheverry exploits Melbourne humidity to end Fery’s dream run
Tomás Martín Etcheverry utilized the heavy, oppressive conditions of a humid Melbourne night to dismantle British qualifier Arthur Fery 7-6(4), 6-1, 6-3, securing a place in the Australian Open round of 32 for the second time in three years.
Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Australian swing 2026 | © PsNewz
The contest was dictated as much by the atmosphere as by the players’ rackets. With humidity levels peaking at 75% on Wednesday, the air turned the match into a physical war of attrition, a scenario that perfectly suited the Argentinian “grinder.”
Etcheverry, whose heavy topspin forehand became increasingly difficult to control as the balls grew heavy in the damp air, effectively neutralized Fery’s flat-ball, “take-time-away” style. For the 5-foot-8 Fery, who predominantly trains in the indoor European circuit, the conditions proved insurmountable; the Londoner struggled with his movement as the match progressed, eventually falling victim to the physical fatigue that has occasionally hampered his transition to the senior tour.
Fery’s presence in the second round had been the talk of the tournament’s opening day after he dispatched 20th seed Flavio Cobolli in straight sets. However, that result was contextualized by news that Cobolli had suffered a severe stomach virus and “watery diarrhea” just minutes before the match, leaving the Italian a shadow of the player who recently led his country to Davis Cup glory.
Raucous celebration on Court 3
On Wednesday, against a healthy and physically peaking Etcheverry, there was no such luck for the qualifier.
Etcheverry’s victory was greeted with a raucous celebration on Court 3, as a large contingent of Argentinian fans turned the stadium into a miniature “La Bombonera,” chanting in unison as their man closed out the final set.
Having already survived a five-set marathon against Miomir Kecmanovic in the opening round, Etcheverry appears to be growing stronger as the tournament progresses. He now moves into a high-stakes third-round encounter with either the volatile 10th seed Alexander Bublik or Hungarian veteran Marton Fucsovics.
