Fery vs Zverev - Wimbledon LIVE!
Alexander Zverev ended Arthur Fery's run and with it British dreams as he eased to a dominant straight sets semi-final win at Wimbledon. For ten days at SW19, Fery has defied the odds. Early in the first week, his title of 'last Brit standing' came almost by default as his compatriots fell all around him. But then Fery started to really run with the baton. Nose bleeds were defied, furious opponents ignored with the help of earplugs, and unlikely comebacks summoned on a thrillingly regular basis.
However, the well ran dry on Friday afternoon. Against an opponent nine inches taller than him and more than 100 places higher in the world rankings, at least until Fery rises into the top 40 next week, it was a humbling occasion. Second seed Zverev was imperious on serve and his forehand a weapon that Fery could not tame. Of the 44 winners he hit, only nine came from the backhand wing.
Zverev had never previously made it beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon. However, he is playing with a fresh freedom after his French Open triumph and on this form there is every chance he backs it up with a Wimbledon title. After winning every point in a dominant first-set tie-break, Zverev faced little further stress in a 7-6 6-2 6-4 victory on Centre Court.
Fery vs Zverev latest news
- Fery beaten in straight sets as Wimbledon dream ended
- Dominant Zverev moves two sets up
- Zverev wins first set tie-break 7-0
Wimbledon finalist!
16:05 , Matt Verri
Alexander Zverev deserved that win.
He dominated the tie-break in the first set and from there he did not look back. Utterly dominant.
Zverev has a real chance on Sunday, whoever he faces.
Moving into his first Wimbledon final with a 13th consecutive Grand Slam victory.
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2026
Alexander Zverev 👏 pic.twitter.com/Pzqk5IKx4C
Fery 6-7 2-6 4-6 Zverev
15:53 , Matt Verri
Well, nobody move yet. Zverev with a wild forehand by his standards. 0-15. Just the second point he’s lost on serve this set.
Fery then goes long himself, throws his head back in frustration.
The Brit has a look at the forehand pass... slips and Zverev makes the volley. 40-15. Two match points.
One will do! Fery goes long, and Zverev launches the ball into the crowd in delight.
Fery 6-7 2-6 4-5* Zverev
15:49 , Matt Verri
This is good stuff from Fery, he’s still battling away. Waving his racket to the crowd too, doing everything he can to show Zverev he still believes.
Fires an ace down the T to hold. He’s down what he can on serve.
Now he needs to somehow find a way to disrupt Zverev’s serve. Hasn’t done so since midway through the first set.
Fery 6-7 2-6 *3-5 Zverev
15:46 , Matt Verri
Aaaaand we’re back to reality.
Zverev barely missing a shot and racing to 40-0. Fery unable to get into a rally.
135mph serve out wide sets up the forehand winner. Another hold to love. Zverev one game away from the final.
Fery 6-7 2-6 3-4* Zverev
15:43 , Matt Verri
This is just brutal ball-striking. Zverev is hitting the ball as cleanly as it’s possible to. Fery is just being bullied from the back of the court. Three more break points.
Saying that, he’s sent that forehand a couple of feet beyond the baseline. From 0-40, Fery has got it back to 30-40.
Shot! Lovely pick-up from Fery, flicked past Zverev at the net. Break points saved.
And he’s held! Crowd as loud as they’ve been since the first set.
Fery 6-7 2-6 *2-4 Zverev
15:38 , Matt Verri
Serve and volley to kick things off, before Zverev finds the line yet again with that forehand. 30-0.
Fery slices into the net, before Zverev dismissively swats away another winner. Hold to love.
He’s lost one point on serve this set.
Fery 6-7 2-6 2-3* Zverev
15:34 , Matt Verri
Real trouble for Fery now. Zverev painting the lines with his forehand, 0-30.
Three break points. Just too good. Backhand pass hammered down the line and Fery has no control over the volley.
WOW. That might be Zverev’s best forehand of the line and there is some serious competition for that.
Just crunched it crosscourt. Zverev breaks. The end is near.
Fery 6-7 2-6 *2-2 Zverev
15:31 , Matt Verri
Brief bit of excitement as Zverev nets his volley first point.
But then usual service is resumed. The serving machine returns and it’s a hold to 15, sealed with another first serve that doesn’t come back.
Fery 6-7 2-6 2-1* Zverev
15:26 , Matt Verri
Those were the points Fery was winning in the first set, up at the net.
Now Zverev is getting to the drop shots and making Fery hit an extra shot - a volley into the net. 0-30.
Couple of loose points from Zverev ease the pressure of Fery, who then finds a very timely first serve.
Deuce. Fery needs to come through this. And he does. Gutsy hold.
Fery 6-7 2-6 *1-1 Zverev
15:22 , Matt Verri
Here we go again. Zverev hammering down first serves and lacing forehand winners. 40-0 in barely a minute.
Fery at full stretch behind the baseline, backhand flies long.
Zverev continues to march through his service games.
Fery 6-7 2-6 1-0* Zverev
15:19 , Matt Verri
Here is Fery. He’s jumping and down, trying to get some energy in his legs again.
Confident volley at the net is put away, that’s much more like it. That’s where he was getting some success in the first set.
Fery nails the first serve out wide and that’s an opening hold in this set. Small steps...
15:15 , Matt Verri
Both players off court after that set.
Zverev first to return, he’s up and standing on the baseline ready for the start of the set.
Fery in no rush to re-emerge.
Fery 6-7 2-6 Zverev
15:11 , Matt Verri
Doesn’t look like Zverev fancies any late drama in this set.
Puts away another forehand, before Fery’s return finds the net. 40-0, three set points.
Needs just one. Zverev is a set away from the Wimbledon final.
Fery 6-7 2-5* Zverev
15:06 , Matt Verri
Can Fery at least stop it becoming five games in a row and three straight breaks for Zverev?
Even that’s looking far from certain. Double fault and it’s 30-30. Big roar around Centre Court, trying to get behind their man.
More like it, forehand winner whipped down the line. But that’s almost cruel. Fery nails two passing shots - Zverev just stands there and volleys both so comfortably, putting away the second. Deuce.
Fery gets to game point, but then another double fault pegs him back.
This time he does hold. Flat backhand crosscourt. Something for the crowd to cheer at last!
Fery 6-7 *1-5 Zverev
15:00 , Matt Verri
That felt cruel. Zverev is nine inches taller than Fery and might have made this overhead - instead he just lobs it perfectly over the Brit’s head.
Another unreturned first serve to add to the collection. Zverev rattling through this set.
Barely broke sweat to hold to love. A game away from taking the second set.
Fery 6-7 1-4* Zverev
14:56 , Matt Verri
Up to the net goes Fery, which feels like his best bet. But Zverev absolutely launches a pass at him, flicks off Fery and out.
He’s under real pressure again, forehand flies long. 15-30 and Zverev sensing the opportunity for a double break.
Two break points - this is sublime tennis from Zverev! Chases down a drop shot and somehow finds the room to flick it down the line. Just clips the chalk.
First one saved, as Zverev’s return lands halfway up the net.
But that’ll do it - Zverev does have the double break. Fery looking very fed up now.
Fery 6-7 *1-3 Zverev
14:51 , Matt Verri
Fery responded immediately in the first set when he was broken. What he would give for a repeat of that.
It does have a similar feel, Fery running down drop shots... but this time he can’t get it back. Had the speed to get there but slices into the net.
Dear me. As good and as flat a forehand winner as you’ll see from Zverev. Holds to me.
Fery 6-7 1-2* Zverev
14:46 , Matt Verri
Trouble...
Zverev’s forehand has really got going now. Swatting it away to all corners and he’s 0-30 up.
It’s very nearly 0-40, but the umpire calls let to replay the point. Ball looped up and landed just in, but a ball kid had decided it was going out and trotted onto the court. Not ideal.
Zverev then HAMMERS a return winner past Fery. 0-40, three break points.
Fery broken as he finds the net. This all feels very ominous now for the Brit.
Fery 6-7 *1-1 Zverev
14:43 , Matt Verri
Cheers from the crowd as Fery volleys towards the open court. Unfortunately it keeps travelling and lands out, turning the cheers to groans.
Despite that excitement, it’s all a bit flat at the moment. That tie-break has taken the wind out of the crowd. Zverev doing his job.
Easy hold sealed with another forehand winner.
Fery 6-7 1-0* Zverev
14:39 , Matt Verri
Fery needs to quickly reset after that tie-break. Got to try and get some momentum.
That forehand is wide, though, and it’s 30-30 on his serve. Make that deuce, after a weak shot into the net from Fery.
Better couple of points follow that and Zverev goes long to give Fery a hold. Really needed that.
Fery 6-7 Zverev
14:33 , Matt Verri
As good as it gets.
Fery still on his way up to the net with the serve and volley as Zverev laces a pass crosscourt.
He takes the tie-break 7-0.
Fery 6-6 Zverev
14:32 , Matt Verri
Zverev puts away the backhand to lead 1-0.
He’s got the mini-break too now, Fery with a double fault at a really frustrating time. 2-0.
Fery then pulls his forehand wide. Zverev 3-0 up and in control.
Well-executed serve and volley from Zverev, 4-0. Another warning from the umpire about the crowd making noise mid-point.
Doesn’t seem to be bothering Zverev. Unreturned first serve, 5-0.
This is a bit of a clinic from Zverev. Ball-striking just too good and it’s 6-0 at the changeover.
Fery 6-6 Zverev
14:28 , Matt Verri
Not quite the start to the game Fery was looking for. Framed forehand that lands 15 rows back in the crowd.
Moves on well from that, though. Brings Zverev forward with the drop shot and then puts away the volley into the open court. 30-15.
Looped forehand lands right on the baseline and Zverev doesn’t react, looking down at the court in disgust.
Another forehand right off the frame. This one at least stays on the grass, but Zverev gets back to 40-30.
There’s the hold, Zverev’s turn to throw in a shank. We’re going to a tie-break!
Fery *5-6 Zverev
14:24 , Matt Verri
Two first serves are all Zverev needs to get to 30-0. Oh, another ace. 40-0.
That’s too good, another perfect forehand to hold to love. Some game, that.
All the pressure back on Fery as he tries to force a tie-break.
Fery 5-5* Zverev
14:21 , Matt Verri
Anything you can do...
Fery lets a couple of Zverev lobs sail long beyond the baseline. His turn to be 40-0 up and looking comfortable.
Double fault slows the progress. Loud groans around Centre Court are a bit much, poor guy...
Hmmm, maybe that could prove more costly. Zverev hammers a winner right on the line to get back to 40-30.
There’s the hold, timely first serve. On we go in this set.
Fery *4-5 Zverev
14:17 , Matt Verri
Looking like another comfortable service game for Zverev. He’s settled into a good rhythm after that brief period of looking rattled earlier in the set.
Barely needed a second shot during that game. Easy as you like. Fery will serve to stay in the set.
Fery 4-4* Zverev
14:14 , Matt Verri
Long exchange from the baseline. Zverev going bigger and bigger, looks to go flat down the line but nets it.
Even more encouraging next point when Fery produces an ace down the T. All free points on serve welcome for him.
Big point coming up at 30-30 - Fery wins it with a perfectly disguised drop shot.
Zverev return goes long and Fery levels things up again.
Fery *3-4 Zverev
14:09 , Matt Verri
Fery edges ahead in the game with a whipped winner, but Zverev’s serving then kicks into gear again.
Up to 137mph - and all the way down to 136mph when thundering the latest ace down out wide.
Fery stays in the game with a very fortunate net cord, which he does his best to pretend he’s sorry about. Doesn’t matter in the end, Zverev with a comfortable enough hold.
Fery 3-3* Zverev
14:05 , Matt Verri
Fery was unhappy in that previous game that the umpire did not call let on one of Zverev’s serves. He was adamant it had clipped the net.
Back to this game and Zverev’s forehand lands about a millimetre out. He stared at that for an extra couple of seconds, not looking particularly thrilled with life.
Umpire warns the crowd about making noise mid-point, but not sure she’s going to get her wish. Crowd very engaged.
Zverev with a lovely forehand winner, deuce. More stress for Fery on serve.
This one is long from the German, Fery holds. Level in the first set!
Fery *2-3 Zverev
13:58 , Matt Verri
This is what we’ve seen from Zverev this fortnight. Relentless serving. This one 135mph and Fery can barely get a racket on it.
Fery then up to the umpire to complain, he’s not happy about something.
Puts that behind him to chase down a drop shot and the pass is good enough. Crowd loves it. 15-30.
They love that even more - again it’s incredible speed to get to the drop shot and then Fery flicks a sensational shot across court. Zverev can’t get it back. Two break points - it is getting very, very loud in here.
Zverev long with the forehand - Fery breaks back! Well, well, well.
Fery 1-3* Zverev
13:55 , Matt Verri
Crowd trying to get behind rally, 15-30 and a first sniff for Zverev.
More than that now as he hammers a forehand winner down the line. Two break points.
There is the break. Fery with a flat backhand into the net and Zverev lands the first blow in this semi-final.
Fery *1-2 Zverev
13:51 , Matt Verri
Zverev has not got going at all with his groundstrokes. Another tame backhand low into the net.
No such issues with the serve. That’s a third ace already, this one 136mph. Then another one out wide is unreturned.
Zverev wraps up the hold with a flicked backhand winner. Much sharper couple of points at the end of that game.
Fery 1-1* Zverev
13:47 , Matt Verri
Just the service game Fery was looking for first up.
Couple of cheap points but also holding his own when they do start exchanging from the baseline.
Second serve kicks up, Zverev pulls the backhand wide and that’s a hold to love.
Fery *0-1 Zverev
13:45 , Matt Verri
Fair to say this crowd will be as hostile as a Wimbledon crowd gets this afternoon.
Trickle of applause for two unreturned serves, but then a huge roar when Fery drops a pass at Zverev’s feet and he flicks it into the net.
Double fault from Zverev, 30-30. Some early Fery encouragement.
A couple of deuces follow - Zverev’s first ace of the afternoon but then he slices into the net. Fery putting him under pressure here.
Two big first serves later and Zverev finally has an opening hold.
Can Fery make an early impact?
13:37 , Matt Verri
Zverev will serve first to start this semi-final.
Do feel like Fery needs to find a way to unsettle the German early.
Zverev’s serve has only been broken four times across these Championships. He’s been serving incredibly well.
Here we go!
13:31 , Matt Verri
Fery and Zverev have made the long walk out to Centre Court, through the various corridors and down the stairs.
They pause for about a minute until it’s exactly 1:30pm - and now they walk out to a big ovation.
Royal Box lineup
13:29 , Matt Verri
The Royal Box is pretty much full with the players due out in the next few minutes.
Sachin Tendulkar, Virgil van Dijk, Benedict Cumberbatch and Louis Theroux among those to have taken their seats.
Muggy day at SW19
13:19 , Matt Verri
My professional weather forecast for you all... not very nice conditions. And that’s just for sitting here typing.
It’s cloudy over Centre Court but it’s so humid and still very warm.
Fery has shown himself to be very fit but on his route to the final, he’s been on court for three and a half hours more than Zverev.
Could those miles in the leg have an impact at some point?
Fery making history
13:11 , Matt Verri
Fery is set to rise up to 36th in the world rankings, having started the Championships at 114th. It was only 18 months ago that he was outside the top 500 and battling injury.
The Brit was given a wildcard into the main draw at Wimbledon and he has certainly made the most of it.
Only four men have previously reached the semi-finals of a Grand Slam as a wildcard - Jimmy Connors (1991 US Open), Henri Leconte (1992 French Open) and Goran Ivanisevic (2001 Wimbledon).
Ivanisevic is the only one to go on and lift the trophy. Fery is two wins away from matching that.
World Cup wishes!
13:02 , Matt Verri
The England squad are preparing for a World Cup quarter-final against Norway tomorrow night.
They’ve sent some good luck messages to a man who knows all about winning a last-eight match...
Some special good luck messages for Arthur Fery ahead of his Wimbledon semi-final❤️ pic.twitter.com/3Q3Y4fabKY
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 10, 2026
Standard Sport prediction
12:54 , Matt Verri
At the risk of being very unpatriotic, this does feel like it could be a tough afternoon for Fery.
He’s put in such a huge mental and physical effort to get to this stage and had stepped up each round so impressively.
However, Zverev has been imperious on serve and Fery does not have the power to go shot for shot with the German.
He will scramble and scrap to stay in points, but Zverev will believe he can overpower the Brit.
For much of his career, you might wonder if Zverev would shrink on the big occasion, particularly with the crowd very much against him this afternoon.
But winning the French Open has lifted a weight off his shoulders and he looks set to reach another Grand Slam final.
Zverev in straight sets.
How to watch
12:46 , Matt Verri
As ever, BBC will have full coverage of the action this afternoon.
BBC One is what you need for the start of this first semi-final at 1:30pm.
Coverage will stay on that channel through to 6pm, at which point it will switch to BBC Two.
BBC iPlayer has an uninterrupted stream.
Good afternoon!
12:31 , Matt Verri
Hello and welcome to an absolutely huge day at Wimbledon!
It’s the men’s semi-finals and there are two blockbuster matches to come on Centre Court.
Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic will go toe-to-toe later, but first it’s Arthur Fery vs Alexander Zverev.
Can the British wildcard keep his incredible run going? It’s been an extraordinary couple of weeks for the world number 114 - he is only the fifth British man to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals in the Open Era.
Zverev is the big favourite, but Fery has made a habit of upsetting the odds.
It promises to be a very special occasion. They will walk out onto Centre Court at 1:30pm.
