Rolex Shanghai Masters 2026: Arthur Fery narrowly loses to Karen Khachanov in three set marathon
• 3 minute read
British No.1 Arthur Fery narrowly lost out to 26th seed Karen Khachanov in three tie-break sets during an epic second round match at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
Fery led by a break in the third set before losing out to the US Open semi-finalist and former world No. 8, 7-6(6), 6-7(5), 7-6(2) in three hours and 33 minutes.
The British star – who reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon this year – battled through cramp in the final set and came within one point of a 5-2 lead in the decider. Khachanov found an extra gear in the final moments and produced a series of winners in an impressive third set tie-break.
Khachanov will meet 38-year-old Adrian Mannarino, who upset world No.7 Flavio Cobolli earlier in the day.
Fery grew into the match after a slow start. He quickly found himself 5-2 down with Khachanov serving for the opening set.
The 24-year-old’s mix of spins and depth caused Khachanov issues late in the opening set, and Fery got a break back and saved three set points to force his opponent to a tie-break.
Fery created a set point of his own late in the tie-break, but Khachanov was able to fend off the Brit on his serve. On his fourth opportunity, Khachanov won a brutal baseline exchange and let out a roar in celebration, but this was only the start.
World No.37, Fery, saw his early break lead in the second set overturned, but the Briton was arguably playing the better tennis.
He managed to survive three break points on a slightly flat game at 5-5, before flicking back into the confident, free-flowing shots that he’d produced throughout much of the match already.
Fery got his reward in the second set tie-break. The Brit enjoyed a stellar day coming into the net and produced drop volleys on back-to-back points at 5-5 to take the second set with almost two hours and 20 minutes on the clock.
Despite suffering from cramp early in the decider, it was Fery who managed to edge in front. The Briton broke to love at 2-2, punishing Khachanov for trying to come to the net from the Fery backhand.
Fery went on to lead 4-2 and had two break points on the Khachanov serve; however, the 26th seed managed to turn the match on its head once again, winning the next three games in a row.
Khachanov’s ball-striking in the deciding set tie-break, after almost three and a half hours, was ultimately the difference between the two.
He ripped an inside-out forehand winner followed by a laser backhand on the following point to clinch the crucial mini break.
This time, Fery was unable to find the response needed to come back. Khachanov bombed down an unreturnable first serve before closing out the match with his 44th winner of the match.
The match ended in defeat for the British star, but it was just another reminder of how far Fery has come. The 24-year-old showed his relentless competitiveness and went toe-to-toe with arguably one of the most in-form players on tour over the last few months.
Fery will return for the indoor European swing, including the Rolex Paris Masters from 2-8 November.
