British wildcard Arthur Fery has secured his place in the Wimbledon semi-finals after a commanding straight-sets triumph over world number nine Flavio Cobolli this afternoon.
The 23-year-old French-born Brit dispatched the Italian ninth seed 6-4, 7-6, 6-0 on Centre Court, continuing his extraordinary run at SW19.
Fery now joins an elite group as only the fourth British player to reach the last four at the Championships since the turn of the millennium, following in the footsteps of Tim Henman, two-time champion Andy Murray and Cameron Norrie.
He becomes just the second wildcard to achieve this feat, after 2001 champion Goran Ivanisevic.
Arthur Fery was forced to stop his interview after Wimbledon fans booed Alexander Zverev
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BBC
The Centre Court faithful made their feelings abundantly clear when Fery was informed during his post-match interview that Alexander Zverev awaits him on Friday.
Loud boos rang out across the famous arena at the mention of the German’s name, signalling that the recent French Open champion can expect a decidedly partisan atmosphere when the pair meet.
Fery responded to the crowd’s vocal disapproval with nothing more than a knowing smile, declining to comment as the interview concluded.
The reaction left little doubt that British tennis fans will be firmly behind their man when he faces Zverev in what will be a first Wimbledon semi-final for both players.
Speaking on court after his remarkable victory, Fery expressed his astonishment at the achievement.
“It seems to get better and better every match. No, I just can’t believe it. It’s incredible playing on Centre Court for the second time, second win, I can’t believe it,” he said.
Arthur Fery has made history after reaching the semi-finals of Wimbledon
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REUTERS
The Brit revealed that an earlier encounter with Cobolli had bolstered his self-belief.
“I played Flavio earlier this year in Australia and I beat him. That was a boost of confidence,” he explained, adding that despite pre-match nerves, he persevered until the end.
Fery admitted the closing moments overwhelmed him. “That last game I felt emotions that I hadn’t experienced before in my life,” he confessed.
Second seed Alexander Zverev dismantled Taylor Fritz in three sets
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REUTERS
Zverev, who defeated Taylor Fritz in straight sets on Court One, took the crowd’s anticipated allegiance in good spirits.
“It’s okay you guys can all be for Fery, it’s totally fine, I understand it. I don’t have a problem with it!” the German told spectators, before offering a playful observation: “For him it’s a Fery-tale story, for Arthur Fery, see what I did there?!”
Fery entered the Championships ranked 114th in the world but now stands poised to climb towards the top 50 following victories over Damian Dzumhur, Otto Virtanen, Zizou Bergs, former semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov and now Cobolli.
Sunday’s final also coincides with Fery’s 24th birthday.
