Arthur Fery vs Flavio Cobolli LIVE!
Arthur Fery added another extraordinary chapter to his Wimbledon fairy tale by crushing Flavio Cobolli to reach the semi-finals. It is 25 years since Goran Ivanisevic famously became the first wild card to win the men’s singles title, and Fery is now only two wins away from matching that historic achievement.
Having battled through deciding tie-breaks in comeback wins against Zizou Bergs and Grigor Dimitrov, 114th-ranked Fery completely outplayed ninth seed Cobolli on Centre Court, winning 6-4 7-6 (4) 6-0. Among the milestones for the 23-year-old was a first win against a top-10 player, with Cobolli having reached his maiden Grand Slam final last month at the French Open.
He is just the fifth home man in the open era to make the last four here and by some distance the most improbable, joining Andy Murray, Tim Henman, Roger Taylor and, most recently, Cameron Norrie – who he will overtake next week to become British No1.
Arthur Fery vs Flavio Cobolli latest updates
- GAME, SET AND MATCH! Fery storms into semis
- SET! Fery wins second
- SET! Fery snares opener
'Ferytale' continues as Briton romps into semi-finals
18:27 , Oli Gent
So much sweat seeped down Arthur Fery’s shirt that it exposed the back that is carrying the hopes of a nation upon it.
The 23-year-old wildcard, a local Wimbledon boy, has shocked the tennis world with his performances throughout the fortnight at the All England Club, but this topped the lot.
Read Oli Gent’s full report from Centre Court here!
Game, set and match! Fery 6-4 7-6(4) 6-0 Cobolli
17:28 , Oli Gent
And so here we are, as he serves for the match. Remarkable.
He opens proceedings with a big first serve that Cobolli nets, and an ace down the T has him within two!
A net cord - and a slip - almost catches him out, but somehow, and I mean somehow, he gets his racquet to it and tees up three match points!
And the final ace out wide does it!
Break! *Fery 6-4 7-6(4) 5-0 Cobolli
17:24 , Oli Gent
A looping forehand winner dips in and Fery has an interest in this fifth game.
A sensational backhand line winner follows for 15-30. He is human as he slices one just a shade too long, but Cobolli shanks a forehand wide of the mark, and here comes yet another break! Surely not...
Well, not this time. Cobolli goes on the attack and Fery looks to soak up the pressure, but his slice just lands long.
But here’s another chance, as the ninth seed nets a backhand, and this time he takes it!
Fery 6-4 7-6(4) 4-0 Cobolli*
17:19 , Oli Gent
Cobolli doesn’t know what has hit him. Fery races into a 40-0 lead, and there’s the love hold to consolidate the double break!
Break! *Fery 6-4 7-6(4) 3-0 Cobolli
17:16 , Oli Gent
Cobolli puts his hands on his hips in disbelief. He cannot believe what he is witnessing. He hits a delicate dropshot that Fery just about gets a racquet to, and it clips the line as he spoons it back into play!
A forehand wrongfooter open the ninth seed’s account in the third game, but Fery is on top of him once more, forcing two break points!
A neat one-two punch from Cobolli saves the first, and a lasered delivery out wide brings up deuce.
He falls out of a forehand, however, to bring up a third break point, and Fery reacts to that, waving his left arm to conduct the Centre Court crowd!
He can’t convert, however, and it’s Cobolli’s turn to put his finger to his ear to whip up the masses gathered.
Here comes a fourth break point as Cobolli nets a backhand, and he takes it this time, with the ninth seed putting a forehand into the tramlines!
Fery 6-4 7-6(4) 2-0 Cobolli*
17:09 , Oli Gent
It was so nearly delightful from Fery as he goes toe-to-toe with the ninth seed from the baseline, but he ruins his rhythm with a wayward slice for 30-30.
He spanks a forehand long, and here spells trouble, as Cobolli has break-back point.
He responds perfectly, with a superb dropshot, and slamming home a smash for deuce.
He gets his next approach wrong, though, as Cobolli looks cross-court, and Fery can only palm into the net as he faces another break point, but he saves it in style again, with some incredible gets and another smash!
Cobolli nets the backhand to tee up game point, and he crunches a forehand into the corner to hold!
Break! *Fery 6-4 7-6(4) 1-0 Cobolli
17:01 , Oli Gent
An immediate break point for Fery in this third set, after a lengthy bathroom break for the Brit.
He takes it, cue a roar from Centre Court, and he’s ahead already!
Set! Fery 6-4 7-6(4) Cobolli
16:50 , Oli Gent
Cobolli threads a backhand wide of the mark, and another drops long to hand Fery three set points!
A superb drop-volley on the stretch sees the ninth seed save the first, but Fery steps in, attacks the return, and forces the mistake! He leads by two sets!
Fery 6-4 6-6 Cobolli* (4-2)
16:45 , Oli Gent
A huge ace down the T gets Fery off the mark in the breaker, and a Cobolli chip is wide, giving the Briton the mini-break off the bat!
A smash putaway sees the wildcard race into a 4-1 lead, and the players change ends as Cobolli stays within two with a crunching delivery that reaches 125mph.
*Fery 6-4 6-6 Cobolli
16:42 , Oli Gent
Cobolli nets a forehand, and Fery is up 0-30. Centre Court is getting impatient.
Fery can’t hit the target with his attempted backhand line winner, and a big Cobolli delivery down the middle brings it back to 30-30.
The one-two punch turns the game completely on its head, and the Italian holds.
Tiebreak!
Fery 6-4 6-5 Cobolli*
16:37 , Oli Gent
More superb tennis - attack and defence - from Fery as he comes out on top in the battle at the net.
A deep Cobolli return has the scores at 15-15, but the wildcard goes on the attack, getting after his forehand, leaving the ninth seed no choice but to dump a backhand on the stretch into the net.
Here are two game points, but he needs just the one as Cobolli nets the attempted dropshot.
*Fery 6-4 5-5 Cobolli
16:34 , Oli Gent
Superb net play from the ninth seed who repels the barrage of Fery pass attempts to open his account as he serves to stave off a two-set deficit.
A netted backhand brings it back to 15-15, and he overdoes a forehand to liven Centre Court up! 15-30.
Cobolli sends down a booming ace down the middle for 30-30, and he finally brings up game point after some ridiculous defence from Fery!
The Brit nets a backhand, and the Italian moves level once more.
Fery 6-4 5-4 Cobolli*
16:28 , Oli Gent
Another solid hold for the Briton as he moves ahead once more.
It got dicey at 40-30, but he is within one game of a two-set lead.
*Fery 6-4 4-4 Cobolli
16:24 , Oli Gent
A return winner registers Fery’s interest in the eighth game of this second set, and a Cobolii backhand goes astray for 15-30.
The Italian levels as Fery overcooks the backhand return, and he ekes ahead with a thumping ace down the T.
He holds, and we’re level again.
Fery 6-4 4-3 Cobolli*
16:20 , Oli Gent
That will do Fery a world of good. A love hold, as we approach the business end of this second set.
*Fery 6-4 3-3 Cobolli
16:18 , Oli Gent
More wayward striking from the Italian as he begins to show his frustrations.
Here’s 15-30, which quickly becomes 30-30 with an accurate serve down the T.
A backhand is away, and we reach deuce, but an ace from the ninth seed that kisses the back of the service line gives him a game point, which he takes with another thumping delivery.
Fery 6-4 3-2 Cobolli*
16:13 , Oli Gent
A delicious dropshot from Fery has Centre Court break out into rousing applause, but he’s reeled back in as he nets a forehand from an aggressive Cobolli return.
Superb net play from the Brit tees up a game point, and he takes it as Cobolli whacks another return wide.
Break! *Fery 6-4 2-2 Cobolli
16:08 , Oli Gent
A Cobolli double fault sees a chance for the Briton to break back here at 30-30.
A forehand just wide brings up break point, and he converts with a thumping forehand winner!
Fery 6-4 1-2 Cobolli*
16:03 , Oli Gent
Cobolli is in his groove now, finding his power and accuracy off both flanks. He is stepping inside the baseline looking to take the return early and attack the Fery serve.
But the Briton holds regardless, claiming the third game with a booming smash putaway. He’s on the board.
*Fery 6-4 0-2 Cobolli
16:00 , Oli Gent
Much better from Fery as he wins his first point of the second by coming out on top in the net exchange, but Cobolli is back in business with a big serve. 15-15.
The Brit nets his sliced backhand, and Cobolli produces a thunderous forehand cross-court to tee up two game points.
There’s the hold with the one-two punch.
Break! Fery 6-4 0-1 Cobolli*
15:58 , Oli Gent
That is sublime from Cobolli, flicking a forehand pass around the corner to go up 0-30 in the first game of this second set.
A double fault from Fery brings up three break points, and here is some early danger.
The Italian powers down one final forehand, and he breaks!
Set! *Fery 6-4 Cobolli
15:53 , Oli Gent
The home favourite is just one game away from taking the first set.
He makes the perfect start as Cobolli misjudges a forehand, planting it into the tramlines, but a thrilling rally follows, including a couple of net cords and some improv from both players, but Cobolli wins out to level!
The kick serve down the middle just undoes Fery a tad as he can’t get over the backhand return, but he is back in it once more as Cobolli misses a slice. 30-30.
A double fault, and suddenly Centre Court erupts, as we have a first set point!
He takes it, as Cobolli lands a final forehand wide!
Fery 5-4 Cobolli*
15:47 , Oli Gent
An ace opens the Briton’s account in the ninth game, and you feel like this one could prove decisive.
Cobolli nets his next return for 30-0, and an ace down the T makes this a far more comfortable service game then the one before.
*Fery 4-4 Cobolli
15:45 , Oli Gent
It should have been a comfortable love hold for the Italian, but he is pegged back by a Fery cross-court forehand winner and then shanking one of his own into the stands. 40-30.
He’s lucky with the third game point, which he converts as as mishit forehand dies on Fery.
Fery 4-3 Cobolli*
15:41 , Oli Gent
Fery just goes for too much off the forehand and he falls behind early in the seventh game, and a backhand goes awry too to pile some pressure on at 0-30.
But that is a great way to alleviate some of it, scuttling from side to side and back to front, soaking up the Cobolli smashes, before the Italian nets. 15-30.
The ninth seed’s forehand is wide of the mark for 30-30, but here comes a big break point, as he wrongfoots Fery with a crushing forehand cross-court.
He overcooks the return, and we go to deuce.
The serve and volley tees up a game point, and Centre Court roars on its support.
He rips a backhand approach up the line, and he holds!
*Fery 3-3 Cobolli
15:36 , Oli Gent
More great striking and depth from both sides from the Brit as Cobolli looks to come in and nets the volley. He levels proceedings with a big first serve, and the one-two punch turns things around. 30-15.
Another booming serve tees up two game points, and the Italian holds again.
Fery 3-2 Cobolli*
15:32 , Oli Gent
Fery just goes awry with a backhand down the line, and there’s a bit of jeopardy here at 30-30 on the wildcard’s serve, but he sorts that right out with an accurate first serve down the T to bring up game point.
He’s getting great depth off both wings, and he finally forces the mistake out of Cobolli, who nets the forehand.
*Fery 2-2 Cobolli
15:28 , Oli Gent
Stunning start to the fourth as Fery rips a first forehand winner, before showing great pace and athleticism to scurry across the baseline to first reach Cobolli’s booming forehand, and then pick up the dropshot. He goes 0-30 up with a volley winner!
He’s unlucky on the backhand, however, just clipping the tape as it bounces back down onto his side. 15-30.
The Italian thunders a huge serve out wide to level proceedings, and Fery nets a backhand on the run to turn the game on its head.
One final big delivery brings up the hold, and we’re level again.
Fery 2-1 Cobolli*
15:24 , Oli Gent
Fery’s backhand - which sees a huge backswing in its execution - is doing early damage and sees him up 30-0 in this third game.
Cobolli’s forehand, meanwhile, has entered the conversation, and he spanks one down the line to register his interest.
He goes big on the next one with an almighty grunt that has Fery scrambling, but he nets the volley on his net appraoach!
Two game points, but the Briton needs just the one!
*Fery 1-1 Cobolli
15:21 , Oli Gent
Cobolli swipes a forehand into the net to give Fery first blood on the Italian’s serve, but the ninth seed hammers an ace down the T to level the scores.
Fery looks to drive his backhand cross-court before rushing the net, but he gets the timing wrong and can only deflect his first volley wide. 30-15.
Another ace down the middle brings up two game points for the French Open finallist, who shanks a forehand to cue ‘oohs’ from the crowd. 40-30.
He holds with a booming delivery out wide.
Fery 1-0 Cobolli*
15:17 , Oli Gent
A great start for Fery and a big Centre Court cheer as he gets his first serve in, and the Cobolli return is away. The Italian nets an inside-out forehand for 30-0, and he dumps another return in there as well for 40-0.
Cobolli lures him in with a delicate dropshot which Fery picks up, but the Briton can only scoop into the tramlines. 40-15, and he then nets a backhand for 40-30.
But a one-two punch secures the opening hold, and that will do nicely!
Cobolli wins the toss...
15:12 , Oli Gent
... and elects to receive!
About last night...
15:09 , Oli Gent
On the other side of the men’s draw, Novak Djokovic emerged victorious in the longest-ever Wimbledon quarter-final against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
And finally, as he nears 40, it feels as though Centre Court is warming to their choirmaster...
Who is Arthur Fery?
15:05 , Oli Gent
He’s reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon. Out of nowhere.
But who on earth is this guy?
Also today!
15:00 , Oli Gent
Over on Court No1, Linda Noskova takes on Elise Mertens in the women’s draw, while Zverev, Cobolli’s conqueror in Paris, faces sixth seed Taylor Fritz in the other men’s quarter-final.
This match is set to get underway shortly, with Marta Kostyuk ousting 2024 finalist Jasmine Paolini in the opener on Centre Court, and the Ukrainian is into the semi-finals in straight sets!
Cobolli latest results
14:52 , Oli Gent
As for the Italian ninth seed, he is on a bit of a hot streak himself.
He reached the final of the French Open, losing out to Alexander Zverev at Roland-Garros, but he was dealt scares in his first three rounds.
He dropped his opening set of the Championships to Maximo Navone 6-1 on Court No2 before coming back to beat the Argentine in four sets, and he was pegged back in the second set of his second-round tie with James Duckworth.
He took on the hard-hitting Karen Khachanov, the Russian 19th seed, in the third round, with Khachanov bagelling the Italian in the first set before going up two sets to one. Cobolli needed to show great character and fight to get through that encounter, and he finally came good against Alex de Minaur, beating the fifth seed in straight sets out on Court No1.
Fery latest results
14:45 , Oli Gent
Now then, how on earth have we got here?
Fery began his fairytale run with a win out on Court No16 against Damir Dzumhur, before overcoming Otto Virtanen on Court No18, after the Fin had stunned No4 seed Ben Shelton in the opening round.
He stayed on Court No18 to outlast Eastbourne champion Zizou Bergs in five sets, before he made his Centre Court debut on Monday against Grigor Dimitrov, coming through the experienced Bulgarian in a five-set thriller.
How to watch
14:37 , Oli Gent
TV channel: In the UK, live free-to-air coverage of the action at Wimbledon will be broadcast across BBC One and BBC Two.
Coverage on BBC Two today begins at 1pm BST, and further coverage on BBC One begins at 2pm.
Live stream: TV license holders can also catch the contest live online via BBC iPlayer.
Hello and welcome!
14:31 , Oli Gent
... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arthur Fery’s Wimbledon quarter-final against Flavio Cobolli.
Today is the day. Strap in, folks.
Stay tuned for all the updates, with this match due to start after the conclusion of Marta Kostyuk and Jasmine Paolini on Centre Court.
