Britain’s Arthur Fery stunned Flavio Cobolli in straight sets to continue his remarkable wild-card run and reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon.
Fery fed off a buoyant Centre Court crowd and produced another outstanding performance in sweltering conditions to win 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-0 to become only the fifth British player to make the last four of the men’s singles in the Open era after Andy Murray, Tim Henman, Cameron Norrie and Roger Taylor.
The 23-year-old will next face Germany’s Alexander Zverev, who beat USA’s Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-4 6-2, with Jannik Sinner against Novak Djokovic in the other semi-final on Friday.
“It seems to get better and better every match. I can’t believe it. It’s incredible playing on Centre Court for my second time, second win,” said Fery, who is just the second wild-card after Goran Ivanisevic in 2001 to reach this stage of Wimbledon.
“I played Flavio earlier this year and beat him in Australia so I knew I could do it. It gave me a boost of confidence. Kept going, very nervous beforehand but kept going until the finish line.
“That last game I felt emotions that I haven’t felt before in my life. It’s unbelievable to share it with those guys [as he looks to his corner]. It makes me so happy.”
Fery maintained a high intensity which Cobolli couldn’t break down
How Fery swept aside Cobolli
Fery showed no signs of nerves or of feeling the effects of two five-set matches as he pushed Cobolli back in the baseline rallies and comfortably held serve throughout the first set.
Cobolli had the first break-point chance in the seventh game but was unable to take it, and instead Fery broke the Italian in the 10th game to snatch the opening set.
Cobolli came out of the blocks flying at the start of the second set to break Fery but the Briton broke back to make it 2-2 as he rediscovered his rhythm.
Fery wasn’t flustered by the hot conditions
Neither player was able to generate a further break-point chance so a crucial tie-break was required – and Fery came out on top, with some aggressive shot-making and an early mini-break proving decisive.
Cobolli looked stunned physically and mentally, Fery taking full advantage by breaking his opponent at the start of the third set and then saving crucial break points in the second game.
He consolidated that with a double break, Cobolli showing his frustration with the home support, and played with increasing freedom on his way to a set bagel and an incredible victory.
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Alison Taylor, the former coach of Arthur Fery, reveals what it was like to train the 23-year-old in his younger days and what first stood out to her about him
“I’ve never been in this position before. I’ve been doing a great job over the past 10 days, so I’ll see where that takes me,” concluded Fery.
Earlier on Wednesday, Czechia’s Linda Noskova made her first Grand Slam semi-final with a 6-3 7-5 victory over Belgium’s Elise Mertens.
Noskova will face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk after she comfortably beat Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 6-3 6-2.
Both women’s semi-finals will take place on Thursday, with Coco Gauff taking on Karolina Muchova.
