Alexander Zverev’s Wimbledon hoodoo is officially over. Fresh from finally ending his Grand Slam drought at Roland Garros, the German continued his remarkable surge by ending Arthur Fery’s dream run with a ruthless straight-sets victory to reach his first-ever Wimbledon final.
The French Open champion needed little over two hours to beat British wildcard Arthur Fery 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-4 on Centre Court, booking a showdown with either defending champion Jannik Sinner or seven-time Wimbledon winner Novak Djokovic as he chases a second successive Grand Slam title.
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“It’s always difficult, whether it’s the champion or somebody who’s won here 48 times,” Zverev joked when asked about his potential final opponent.
“But I have to trust myself and I have to believe that I can win and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Having finally broken through with his maiden Grand Slam triumph at Roland Garros after years of near misses, Zverev has looked like a transformed player throughout the grass-court season. That confidence was on full display at Wimbledon, where he reached the final for the first time in his career.
ZVEREV ENDS FERY’S FAIRYTALE RUN
For a while, Arthur Fery threatened to extend one of the stories of this year’s Championships.
The British wildcard matched Zverev blow for blow early on, exchanging breaks before forcing the opening set into a tie-break. Centre Court sensed an upset was brewing.
Zverev had other ideas.
The world No. 2 produced a flawless tie-break, winning all seven points without reply before shifting through the gears.
The second set quickly slipped away from Fery as Zverev’s booming serve and heavy forehand began dictating every rally. Although the 23-year-old continued to fight and the home crowd roared him on, the German’s experience gradually took over.
By the third set, Zverev had complete control, calmly closing out victory to become only the 13th man in the Open Era to reach the final of all four Grand Slams.
Despite ending the Briton’s dream, Zverev was full of praise for his opponent.
“It was amazing… Arthur, what an unbelievable player,” he said.
“He’s going to be a senior citizen on our tour because I think he’s going to play for 15-plus years and is going to have great results. This is just the beginning of his career and I really think he’s going to do amazing things.”
He also acknowledged the partisan Centre Court atmosphere.
“I know that 99.99% of the stadium wanted Arthur to win, but it was still such an incredible atmosphere,” Zverev said.
“It was such a fair crowd. I enjoyed every second of it. A lot of stadiums and crowds in the world can take the example of this crowd.”
ROLAND GARROS SUCCESS CHANGED EVERYTHING
For years, Wimbledon remained the one Grand Slam where Zverev struggled to make a deep run.
That is no longer the case.
Ever since lifting the French Open trophy to end years of heartbreak, the German has carried himself with a new level of confidence and authority. The hesitation that often defined his biggest matches has disappeared, replaced by the belief of a player who knows he belongs on tennis’ biggest stages.
His victory over Fery not only secured a maiden Wimbledon final but also placed him one win away from back-to-back Grand Slam titles, something few players in the modern era have managed.
“This Grand Slam has always been the one I struggled with the most and now all of a sudden I’m in the final of Wimbledon, so I’m incredibly happy and incredibly proud,” Zverev said.
“But we’ve got one more match to go on Sunday, and that’s where the focus will be.”
Whether it is reigning champion Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic standing across the net, Zverev will head into Sunday’s final believing another major trophy is well within reach.
– Ends
