Arthur Fery’s extraordinary Wimbledon run continued as the British wildcard claimed his first Grand Slam semifinal, where he will face reigning French Open champion Alexander Zverev. Meanwhile, Marta Kostyuk secured a repeat clash with Linda Noskova in the women’s last four.
Fery, ranked 114th in the world, completed a straight-sets victory over Flavio Cobolli, the Roland Garros runner-up, to become the first British man to reach the Wimbledon semifinals since Goran Ivanisevic’s historic win in 2001. The 24-year-old, who celebrated his birthday on Sunday, delivered a commanding 6-4, 7-6(7/4), 6-0 performance on Wednesday at Centre Court.
Fery’s run is only the third time since 1985 that a player as lowly ranked has reached the Wimbledon semifinals, following Vladimir Voltchkov (237th in 2000) and Ivanisevic (125th in 2001). His presence in the last four also marks a milestone for British tennis, with only Andy Murray’s 2016 triumph standing between Fery and history.
“It gets better and better every match. It’s incredible. I just can’t believe it,” Fery said, having been greeted by UK Queen Camilla in the Royal Box following his victory.
Second seed Alexander Zverev joined Fery in the semifinals after a dominant 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 win over sixth seed Taylor Fritz, snapping a seven-match losing streak against the American. The German’s first Wimbledon semifinal came in his ninth attempt at the All England Club.
“I’m extremely happy to be in the semifinals, especially against Taylor, whom I hadn’t beaten in two years,” Zverev said. Only Becker and Stich have reached all four Grand Slam semifinals in the Open era alongside Zverev, who will face Fery with Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic waiting in the final.
Kostyuk Into Second Straight Slam Semifinal
Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk advanced to her second consecutive Grand Slam semifinal, overcoming former Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-2 on Centre Court. The 24-year-old 12th seed will face Linda Noskova for a place in Saturday’s final.
“I was on this court as a spectator nine years ago, watching Roger [Federer], and to be back here as a player is amazing,” Kostyuk said. She has lost only once in her last 22 matches – a French Open semifinal defeat to Mirra Andreeva – and will seek her first major final.
Noskova, the ninth seed from the Czech Republic, came through a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Belgium’s Elise Mertens, demonstrating her strong grass-court form. The 21-year-old has won two WTA titles this season and reached her first Grand Slam semifinal.
Kostyuk previously defeated Noskova in the Madrid Open quarterfinals en route to her third career title. The winner of Thursday’s clash will face either world number one Coco Gauff or Karolina Muchova in the Wimbledon final.
