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.
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Wimbledon finalist!
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.
Fery 6-7 2-6 4-6 Zverev
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.