Wimbledon 2026: Wild cards Jacob Fearnley & Arthur Fery secure comeback wins to reach second round

Fearnley fought back from two sets down for the first time in his career to knock out world No.46 Alex Michelsen 3-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.

Meanwhile, Fery outlasted Damir Dzumhur in a quality 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 in two hours and 40 minutes.

The two victories follow strong performances from both players on the grass this summer. Fearnley made his second career ATP Challenger final on grass at the Lexus Ilkley Open.

Fery continued his good run of form on the grass this summer, after reaching his first ATP 500 quarter-final at the HSBC Championships only a few weeks ago.

Wild cards Fearnley and Fery are both into the second round for the second time in their careers.

Fearnley will play Jaume Munar of Spain, who knocked out Queen’s champion Francisco Cerundolo in round one, while Fery is set to take on either Ben Shelton or Otto Vitranen.

It's been a difficult year for Fearnley, battling injuries and trying to build some momentum on tour, so this victory comes at the perfect time for the former British No.2.

"My first five-setter. Really happy with how it went," Fearnley said in his press conference.

"It was actually all right, to be honest. My body feels good. Obviously coming from two sets down, it felt like a decent little mountain to climb. I feel I handled it well. 

"Of course it helps confidence. I wouldn't say it's like necessarily a turning point or anything like that. I'm honestly just happy to get the win.

"I think I said it in my pre-tournament press, that I have just been trying to enjoy playing again and enjoy, you know, life outside of the court, as well.  So far it's been helping me a lot on the court."

Fearnley struggled to create opportunities in the opening two sets, with Michelsen dropping only eight points behind his first serve.

The British star – whose previous Wimbledon victory came on his debut in 2024 – responded positively and refused to go away without a fight. Fearnley took huge confidence from his first break of the match at 2-1 and just continued to go through the gears.

In the fourth set, Fearnley hit 14 winners and won 73% (3/11) points against the American’s serve, and it was all one-way traffic from there.

Michelsen shouted towards his team in frustration after Fearnley took his second break of the final set, before the British star closed out the victory in just over three and a half hours.

A victory at Wimbledon this year after a debut win over Alexei Popyrin last year felt more 'normal' for Fery, and is an indication of just how far he's come in recent years since leaving Stanford University.

"Feels really good," Fery said. "Really proud to be able to get through the first round again this year.

Feels more normal, in a way. Mostly because my ranking is higher, and I feel like I'm more deserving of being here on my own ranking.  

"It's obviously unbelievable for us players who aren't in the top 100 to be able to get wildcards.  I have been very well supported by the LTA and All England for these past years.

"It's been great to be able to play lots of matches on the grass. It's definitely contributed to me being able to maybe turn around that match today."

After losing the opening set, Fery dominated the rest of the match against the 34-year-old from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

From 2-0 down in the second set, Fery won six straight games and found the answer to counter Dzumhur’s serve.

Fery was made to pause his momentum at 2-0 in the third to deal with a nosebleed. Despite Dzumhur getting the initial break back, the British wild card hit nine winners to seal the set in 43 minutes.

The Bosnian took a quick break at the end of the third set but couldn’t find the energy or level to try and force it to a decider. Fery raced out to a 5-0 lead in the fourth and wrapped up his second career Wimbledon win at the first time of asking.

Wild cards Fearnley and Fery are both supported by the LTA’s Pro Scholarship Programme, presented by Lexus.