Wimbledon’s new hero Arthur Fery soars into semi finals and on verge of creating historical past
Arthur Fery, who grew up around Wimbledon, demolished his quarter final opponent, Flavio Cobolli, and booked his place in the final four of the world’s most famous tennis tournament
Arthur Fery stormed to victory(Image: Getty Images)
Wimbledon’s wildcard hero Arthur Fery made history by sailing through his quarter-final. The 23-year-old Wimbledon local was a huge underdog going into his match against Italian ninth seed Flavio Cobolli.
But the French-born Brit won in straight sets with an ace finish to rapturous applause from Centre Court. In doing so, Fery became only the second wildcard to reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon, after eventual 2001 champion Goran Ivanišević.
He will now play German Alexander Zverev, who beat American Taylor Fritz in straight sets just minutes after Fery wrapped up his win. And speaking after his stunning win, Fery admitted his Wimbledon experience just “keeps getting better and better”.
There was a tense energy on Centre Court when Fery walked out into the scorching 35C heat of SW19.
He was welcomed by his hometown crowd as champagne bottles popped, with one cork soaring towards the Umpire. The umpire had to remind fans to ‘enjoy their drinks but not to open them during play’.
The 24-year-old Italian was serving at speeds of 130pmh and above in the first set, and it seemed Fery would have an uphill battle breaking his serve.
However, the 5’9” local boy was moving in and out of the corners extremely well and while hitting his own. Fery won the fifth game with some signature corner shots.
Fery was tested in the 7th game but came up trumps after some enthusiastic encouragement from the crowd before he broke Cobolli’s serve to win the first set.
Cobolli came out swinging and broke Fery’s serve in the first game of the second set before going on to win the second game with ease.
Fery broke back in the fourth game with a scorching backhand winner.
Cobolli took the foot off the gas in the 9th game of the second set but secured the win with some ferocious forehands.
The second set went to an incredibly tense tie-breaker with the crowd willing the Wimbledon resident to win. The Brit won the tie-breaker 7-4.
Cobolli showed his frustration in the third game of the third set after Fery returned his dropshot, with the Italian gesturing towards the Umpire.
Fery sailed through the third set as the Italian began to wilt in the heat and pressure from the crowd, wrapping up his victory before saluting the adoring crowd.
After the game, Fery said: “It just seems to get better and better every match. I can’t believe it. Playing on the Centre Court for the second time and a second win. I can’t believe it.
“I played Flavio earlier this year and I beat him in Australia which gave me a boost of confidence and I knew I could do it even though it was my first time in the quarterfinals.
“I was very nervous before but I just kept going to the finish line.
“I felt emotions which I hadn’t experienced before but it was unbelievable to share with those guys up there (in his box).”
When asked what the next few days looked like for him, he said: “I don’t know. I have never been here before.
“We will figure it out as we go but I’m just going to keep going. I have done a great job in the past 10 days and I’ll see where it takes me.”
