It's a Fery-tale win for Arthur, ranked 461st in the world, as Britain's men get off to a flying start at Wimbledon

Arthur Fery dropped to his knees, punched the air and roared.

The local lad flicked off his white cap, strode to the net to commiserate the vanquished 20th seed Alexei Popyrin before spreading his arms wide and taking in the applause.

The 22-year-old wildcard, ranked 461st in the world, had just completed the most sensational upset on a strong opening day at Wimbledon for the British men.

His 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 victory on Court 15 secured the first Tour-level victory of his career and booked a place in the second round, where he will be joined by Cameron Norrie, Billy Harris and 733rd-ranked qualifier, Oliver Tarvet.

On paper, Australian big-hitter Popyrin should have proved too tough a draw for Fery, having knocked Novak Djokovic out of last year's US Open and going close to beating Jack Draper this year at Queen's.

But Fery gave the Aussie the run-around, dominating with his mix of strong baseline hitting and aggressive play at the net to set up a second-round tie against Italian Luciano Darderi.

Fery, who lives round the corner from the Wimbledon grounds, is the son of the owner of French football club Lorient, who this season earned promotion to Ligue 1, and his mum was a professional tennis player.

'We're just a sports family, I guess,' said Fery, who was born in France but moved to Wimbledon when he was young. 'Hopefully the success keeps going.

'I've been to this place since I was five or six. Now playing here and winning matches is veryspecial. I'd get picked up from primary school and come here on a grounds pass, walking around watching your idols play until late, never really thinking I could play here.

'Hopefully, soon I won't need a wildcard to do it.'

Fery has won just £250,000 in prize money throughout his young career but is now guaranteed at least another £99,000 for reaching the second round.

So, too, is Norrie, who came through his own four-setter against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain to set up a second-round tie with Frances Tiafoe.

The former British No 1, who reached the semi-finals here in 2022, was roared over the line by a vociferous crowd on Court 18 that sang 'Super Cameron Norrie' as he secured a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 victory.

'At the start, I was playing so well and there was nothing happening and everyone was still kind of quiet,' said Norrie. 'They got more into it as the match went on. Obviously I gave them some more stuff to cheers about!

'I had to really talk myself into the match. I wasn't feeling good with the heat. It was a bit of a shock to the system. It was tough for me to stay cool on the court.'

It was a much tougher afternoon for British No 2 Jacob Fearnley, who crashed out in straight sets against Brazilian 18-year-old debutant and rising star Joao Fonseca in straight sets on No 1 Court.

Fearnley paid the price for his wayward serve as he produced 10 double faults, many coming in crucial moments including to lose the opening set, though the 23-year-old blamed his nerves more than his serving for the defeat.

'I don't think my serve cost me the match,' said Fearnley. 'I was serving to his forehand, which I think in the heat ofthe moment was a bit stupid.

'All that stuff (playing on No 1 Court) is pretty nerve-wracking for me. I maybe didn't need to put so much pressure on myself before the match. I definitely think that could have played against me a little bit.'

Meanwhile, British No 4 Billy Harris sailed through in straight sets against lucky loser Dusan Lajovic, and wildcards Henry Searle and Oliver Crawford both took the opening sets in their respective matches against American Ethan Quinn and Italian Mattia Bellucci but lost in four sets.