Zverev beats Fery to reach Wimbledon final

Alexander Zverev ended Arthur Fery’s surprise Wimbledon run on Friday, beating the British wildcard 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-4 to move into Sunday’s final, Reuters reported. The result gives Zverev a chance to add a Wimbledon title to the French Open crown he won earlier this season.

The German, 29, reached his fifth Grand Slam final and his first at the All England Club, according to Reuters. He will play either defending champion Jannik Sinner or seven-time Wimbledon winner Novak Djokovic, who is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.

Zverev said afterward that either matchup would be difficult. Referring to Djokovic, he joked that the final would be tough whether he faced “the champion or somebody who’s won here 48 times,” then added that he had to trust his own chances.

Fery pushed early before Zverev took control

Reuters reported that the semifinal began in warm, windy conditions, with both players breaking serve early. Fery, 23, had the Centre Court crowd behind him and tested Zverev in the opening set, but the match shifted sharply in the tiebreak.

Zverev won all seven points in that tiebreak to take the first set. From there, Reuters reported, he raised his level and used his serve and forehand to keep Fery from regaining momentum.

Fery was trying to become only the second male wildcard to reach a Grand Slam final, following Goran Ivanisevic at Wimbledon in 2001, according to Reuters. He continued to press in the second set, but Zverev moved ahead 4-1 and did not let the match tighten again.

Zverev praised Fery after the win, calling him “an unbelievable player” and predicting a long career for the Briton. He said he believed Fery could stay on tour for more than 15 years and achieve strong results.

Zverev completes a career set of major finals

The victory made Zverev the 13th man in the professional era, which began in 1968, to reach the final at all four Grand Slam tournaments, Reuters reported. Wimbledon had been the major where he had struggled most, he said.

Zverev also acknowledged the support Fery received from the home crowd, saying he knew nearly the entire stadium wanted the Briton to win. He described the atmosphere as fair and said Centre Court was among the best places to play tennis.

After years of near misses at major tournaments, Reuters reported, Zverev’s recent French Open title gave him the breakthrough he had long sought. On Sunday, he will try to win consecutive Grand Slam titles and claim the Wimbledon trophy for the first time.

Zverev said he was proud to have reached the final but was already focused on the last match of the tournament.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.