Arthur Fery is preparing for a highly anticipated Wimbledon semi-final, where he will face off against French Open champion Alexander Zverev.
In a remarkable turn of events, the 23-year-old Brit, who did not qualify for his home Grand Slam, has taken full advantage of his wildcard to make a life-changing week in SW19. Fery will least be ranked No. 36 in the world come the end of the tournament and will be the new British number one.
After overcoming two five-set marathons in his previous two rounds, Fery secured an emphatic straight-sets win over world number ten Flavio Cobolli in the quarter-finals. The French-born Brit will now face Zverev, who has dropped just two sets on his route to the semi-finals and thumped big-serving Taylor Fritz in the quarters.
Former Wimbledon semi-finalist Sam Querrey has expressed his admiration for Fery's run but predicts a one-sided semi-final. "I'm blown away by Fery," Querrey said. "He stepped up with the whole crowd behind him, and he's had a great draw. But Zverev is playing great on the grass right now, and he's going to beat him and be in the final."
Querrey believes that Zverev will not lose a set against Fery, stating that the dream run has been phenomenal but that it would be a choke if Fery fails to reach his first final at the All England Club. Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash also expects Zverev to advance, saying that Fery could struggle against the German's powerful serve.
Fery, meanwhile, is focused on following the same process that has taken him to the semi-finals. "I felt emotions that I've never experienced before in my life in that last game," he said. "I'm just going to keep going and see where that takes me."
