Kovačević broke for 4-2 to clinch 6-3, surviving a 7 minute hold for 1-0 saving both break points and another deuce hold for 5-2.
Fery broke for 7-5 after a set of unbroken serves, seizing the tiebreak with a clinical finish to level the match.
Fery broke for 2-0 and held for 3-0, then sealed 6-3 with a hold for 6-3 as Kovačević's resistance crumbled.