Arthur Fery’s straight-sets win over ninth seed Flavio Cobolli sealed his place in Wimbledon’s semifinals, making him the first British wildcard to achieve this feat in the Open Era. Ranked 114th, Fery’s composed performance featured a late break in the first set, a tiebreak win in the second, and a dominant third set. The 23-year-old beat the French Open finalist 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-0. His victory electrified the home crowd and drew praise for his tactical variety and calm under pressure.
Fery is only the second wildcard in Wimbledon history to reach the men’s singles semifinals, following Goran Ivanisevic’s title-winning run in 2001. He is also the lowest-ranked semifinalist since Ivanisevic and the fifth British man to reach this stage in the Open Era. With just 11 ATP career wins before this event, Fery’s breakthrough mirrors rare feats by John McEnroe in 1977 and others who defied rankings to make deep Grand Slam runs.
Former British No. 1 Tim Henman called Fery’s quarter-final display “extraordinary”, noting his courage and belief in high-pressure moments. Fellow players and commentators highlighted his superb footwork, intelligent shot selection and ability to dominate tie-breaks. The win also impressed coaches like Stanford’s Paul Goldstein, who lauded Fery’s composure and humility under intense scrutiny.
Born in France but raised in Wimbledon, Fery honed his skills at Stanford University, becoming a two-time ITA All-American and the 2023 Pac-12 Singles Player of the Year. His mother was a professional tennis player and his father a football club owner, giving him a rich sporting background. Despite an arm injury that sidelined him for part of 2025, his 2026 Wimbledon run marks a rapid ascent from college tennis to the sport’s grandest stage.
Fery now faces world No.2 and French Open champion Alexander Zverev, who reached his first Wimbledon semifinal by beating Taylor Fritz. Zverev, a heavy favourite, is aiming for his maiden Wimbledon final, while Fery seeks to extend his dream run into the championship match. The winner will face either Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic in the final.
Also read: Djokovic sets up semifinal showdown against Sinner
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