The men’s singles final at Wimbledon is set after two high-quality semi-finals on Centre Court. Alexander Zverev ended Arthur Fery’s dream run with an outstanding display, while defending champion Jannik Sinner produced arguably his best tennis of the tournament to sweep aside Novak Djokovic. Sunday’s final now pits the world number one against the reigning French Open champion in what promises to be a fascinating battle for the title. Here, QualityShot tennis journalist Ben Phillips looks into the highly anticipated men’s semi finals.
Zverev ends Fery’s fairytale run
Wimbledon Day 12 delivered two outstanding men’s semi-finals that produced a blockbuster championship match between world number one Jannik Sinner and French Open champion Alexander Zverev. While Arthur Fery’s remarkable run came to an end in front of a captivated home crowd, the Brit left SW19 with his reputation transformed after one of the stories of the tournament.
Zverev produced one of his finest performances of the fortnight to defeat Fery 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-4. Although the opening set remained tight throughout, the German elevated his level exactly when it mattered most. After neither player could establish a decisive advantage, the first-set tiebreak felt like the pivotal moment of the match.
Rather than allowing the pressure to affect him, Zverev produced seven flawless points in succession, winning the breaker 7-0. It was a statement of both his quality and his composure, and from that point onward he never looked back. With the confidence of securing the opening set, he dominated the second before closing out the match in straight sets.
The performance demonstrated exactly why many now view Zverev as a genuine favourite in every major tournament he enters. His serve was consistently dominant, his movement looked sharp and, perhaps most importantly, his forehand proved almost impossible for Fery to expose.
Following the victory, we asked Zverev how he would prepare for Sunday’s final and whether he planned to watch the second semi-final between Sinner and Novak Djokovic.
“Yeah, when I get back I will watch it for sure. I will watch the match but the rest of my team will do and they’ll give me the information they feel is necessary.”
His response reflected the calm approach that has become increasingly evident throughout the season. Rather than obsessing over every detail, Zverev trusts his coaching team to analyse his opponent while he focuses on recovery ahead of the biggest match of the tournament.
Fery leaves Wimbledon with his head held high
Although defeat ended Arthur Fery’s extraordinary Wimbledon campaign, the 23-year-old leaves the All England Club as one of the biggest success stories of the Championships.
The British wildcard captured the imagination of the home supporters with a fearless brand of tennis, defeating several established names on his journey to the semi-finals. His run represented far more than an unexpected result—it announced him as a player capable of competing on the biggest stages.
After the match, Fery was quick to acknowledge the level Zverev produced.
“Yeah it was definitely a step up today, we know how well he can play, he was hitting his forehand really well.”
That assessment highlighted one of the tactical battles heading into the contest. Fery’s team would almost certainly have identified Zverev’s forehand as an area where pressure could potentially be applied. However, when that wing is firing with the pace and consistency it displayed on Friday, very few players in the world possess the weapons to consistently challenge it.
While the defeat will undoubtedly disappoint Fery in the short term, this Wimbledon has dramatically changed perceptions of his future. Having become one of the faces of this year’s Championships, he now looks capable of building on this breakthrough and establishing himself at the top level of the men’s game.
Sinner produces his best tennis to dismantle Djokovic
If Zverev impressed in the first semi-final, Jannik Sinner somehow raised the bar even higher.
The defending champion delivered arguably his best performance of the tournament—and one of his finest displays of the entire season—to defeat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
The scoreline only tells part of the story. Throughout the match, Sinner controlled almost every aspect of play. His serving was precise, his returning relentless and his baseline consistency prevented Djokovic from finding the rhythm that has carried him to so many Wimbledon titles.
The Italian looked comfortable from the opening game, dictating the majority of exchanges while giving the Serbian almost no opportunities to attack.
Following the victory, we asked Sinner what tactical differences he expects against Zverev, having faced the German on every surface except grass.
“I think less exchanges, less rhythm, this we know because of the surface being this fast. Also it being this warm will be good for a big server and he is definitely a big server.”
His answer demonstrated a clear understanding of how Sunday’s final could unfold. Grass naturally shortens rallies compared to clay and hard courts, while the warm conditions are likely to make Zverev’s already formidable serve even more dangerous. Rather than expecting extended baseline exchanges, Sinner anticipates a contest where first-strike tennis and small margins could decide the outcome.
Djokovic admits Sinner was simply too good
For Novak Djokovic, there was little frustration after the defeat—only admiration for the level produced by his opponent.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion searched throughout the match for solutions but found very few as Sinner consistently took time away from him.
When asked whether there was anything he could have changed tactically, Djokovic gave an honest assessment.
“No not really, it was a good old blowout there was nothing much I could do. I was just half a step late.”
It was a revealing admission from one of the greatest competitors the sport has ever seen. Djokovic rarely concedes that an opponent has simply outplayed him, but on this occasion he recognised that Sinner’s speed, power and precision left him with very few answers.
A final worthy of Wimbledon
Sunday’s men’s final now promises to be one of the most fascinating title matches of the season.
Sinner will understandably start as the favourite after producing such an emphatic victory over Djokovic. His movement, confidence and ability to absorb pace have all been exceptional throughout the fortnight.
However, writing off Alexander Zverev would be a mistake. The German arrives full of confidence after capturing his maiden French Open title earlier this year and has looked increasingly comfortable with every round at Wimbledon. His powerful serve, aggressive forehand and improved belief make him a genuine threat to the world number one.
It will also be their first meeting on grass, adding another intriguing tactical dimension. With shorter rallies expected and both players serving at an elite level, fine margins are likely to determine who lifts the Wimbledon trophy.
Looking ahead to tomorrow
Attention now turns to the women’s singles final, where Karolína Muchová takes on Linda Nosková in an all-Czech showdown.
It is one of the most difficult finals to predict. Muchová brings greater experience after previously reaching a Grand Slam final and has shown tremendous resilience throughout the tournament, including saving a match point in her dramatic semi-final victory over Coco Gauff.
Nosková, meanwhile, has enjoyed the breakthrough fortnight of her career. Playing with freedom and confidence, she has powered into her maiden Grand Slam final and has looked increasingly composed under pressure.
With both players in outstanding form and possessing contrasting strengths, Centre Court looks set for another memorable Wimbledon final before attention shifts to Sunday’s blockbuster between Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev.
