Key events
First set: Sinner* 1-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic, after his five-plus hour marathon in the quarter-finals, will be pleased that the points have been so quick so far, but there’s a sense at the moment that these two are just feeling each other out, despite this being their 12th meeting. A slightly longer exchange follows at 40-15, but Sinner then smacks a forehand long. Sinner leads their head-to-head 6-5, by the way, though Djokovic will be buoyed by his Australian Open semi-final win over Sinner in five sets this year, when he twice came from a set down to end a run of five successive defeats by the world No 1.
First set: Sinner 1-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
We’re in for a treat today because Andre Agassi’s in the BBC commentary box. “I don’t think there’s a person on the planet who can come up with a new adjective to describe Novak’s accomplishments, what he’s done for the game, the numbers that he’s put on the board,” he says. Though I think if anyone could, it’s Agassi. He’s one of tennis’s greatest raconteurs. Despite his admiration for Djokovic, he says he’s backing Sinner today, and Sinner swiftly moves to 30-0. Djokovic is apologising after his return clips the tape and trickles over for a winner for 30-15, but Sinner doesn’t sway and secures the next two points to match Djokovic’s hold to 15.
First set: Sinner* 0-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Back to Centre Court, though, because Djokovic, having decided against wearing his preppy, Federer-style blazer for his entrance, perhaps because of the heat, has won the toss and chosen to serve first. The seven-times champion wins two short and sharp opening points against the defending champion for 30-0, and that turns into 40-15. Another dominant point secures an opening hold.
Like father, like son. Cruz Hewitt, 24 years after his dad, Lleyton, lifted the men’s singles title, is a win away from becoming a Wimbledon champion, after reaching the boys’ singles final. Lleyton was watching as Cruz defeated Thijs Boogaard, of the Netherlands, 6-4, 6-4, and he still hasn’t dropped a set during the tournament.
Elsewhere, Britain’s Alfie Hewett is a set down, 7-6, in the wheelchair singles semi-final. Andy Lapthorne lost earlier in the last four of quad wheelchair singles.
This could come down to who copes better physically. How much does Djokovic have left in the tank after needing more than five hours to get past Felix Auger-Aliassime in their record-breaking quarter-final, during which he injured his left calf? And how will Sinner cope in the heat, which is, of course, his kryptonite? Sinner has said he had tests after the French Open – when he lost in the second round from two sets and 5-1 up – to work out what went wrong. So he should be much better prepared now. Also it’s not as hot today as the past couple of days (it’s currently about 30C). And the points on grass are generally shorter. But there again, this is Djokovic he’s facing. If Djokovic’s body does hold up, he can go on. And on. And on. And that could test Sinner.
Thanks Daniel, a stellar stint as always. So, having woken up from our Fery-induced fever dream, reality has returned, as Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic meet in the semi-finals for the second successive year – and the sixth time at this stage of a grand slam.
Sinner downed an injured Djokovic in straight sets in 2025 – before beating Carlos Alcaraz in the final for his first Wimbledon title. It looked as if Sinner had taken his game to a level that perhaps even Alcaraz couldn’t reach – but he surrendered his US and Australian Open titles, losing to Alcaraz in New York and Djokovic in Melbourne and, after his French Open meltdown, Wimbledon is the only slam currently in his possession.
His aura certainly hasn’t vanished entirely – he’s still the world No 1, went on a brilliant run between Melbourne and Paris, and hasn’t dropped a set this tournament since his five-setter in the first round – but Djokovic will know Sinner is more vulnerable than he was last year; the Italian winning machine has almost turned human and the classic cyborg from Serbia will be determined to take advantage. It feels as if we write this every year, but Djokovic, still so fuelled by history and that quest for slam No 25 – that’s why he’s still playing at the age of 39 – may never get a better opportunity to confirm his outright GOAT-ness … if his body holds up.
Righto, my watch is over, but Djokovic and Sinner have come down the stairs, so it’s time to hand over to Katy, who’ll elevate what should be an absolute jazzer. Peace out.
Looking at the bottom half of the draw before the tournament started, it was hard to see anyone other than Zverev making it to the final – though I wondered if Fritz might put him under pressure. But he could not and nor, really, could anyone else – so here we are: a month after he won his maiden grand slam, after various near-misses, collapses and out-classings, he’s a match away from adding a second.
Zverev chuckles then says it’s amazing, this grand slam has always been the one he’s struggled with the most, but suddenly he’s in the final of Wimbledon. “I’m incredibly happy, incredibly proud, of the team as well, but we’ve got one more match to go on Sunday and that’s what the focus is on.”
After beating Fritz in the last eight, his performance was described as “flawless”, and today’s, he jokes, “Was OK, I guess.”
“I have to give credit to two things. First of all, Arthur: I think he’s going to be a senior citizen on our tour because I think he’s gonna play on this tour for 5+ years and he’s gonna have great results, this is just the beginning of his career and I really think that he’s gonna do amazing things in this sport.
“And then for me, the second thing is something that is incredible here. Yes, I know that 99.99% of the stadium was wanting Arthur to win but it was still such an incredible atmosphere, it was such a fair crowd as well – I enjoted every second of it even though, for me, a lot of stadiums, a lot of crowds in the world can take an example of this crowd and for me it’s one of the best crowds to play tennis on front of.”
Finally, asked if he’s a preference for who he meets in the final, he offers “I hope I can play a junior, that will be great. Whether it’s the defending champion someone who’s won here 48 times like Novak Djokovic , it’s not gonna be easy no matter who it is against, but I have to trust myself, believe that i can win, and that’s what I’m gonna do.”
Let’s hear what he’s got to say…
So Goliath beats David and Zverev moves into his first Wimbledon final. If he maintains the form he’s shown in his last two matches, whichever of Sinner and Djokovic he faces next has a problem.
Alexander Zverev (2) beats Arthur Fery 7-6(0) 6-2 6-4
Fery (0)6-7 2-6-4-4-6 Zverev Decent return from Fery, then Zverev goes long, but he soo makes 15-all, then again comes to mid-court and hooks a forehand cross to the corner – he’s played that shot beautifully today – admittedly under little pressure. A serve and tidy then raises two match points, Fery’s historic run almost at an end … and a big delivery, followed by a wrong-footing backhand finishes things. They stand together at the net like Sid Little and Eddie large, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe, then Fery departs to a richly deserved standing ovation, his life changed. Well played, old mate, well played.
*Fery (0)6-7 2-6 4-5 Zverev At 30-0, a return on to the baseline forces Fery to net and, if I’m giving notes, that’s one: he’s got to get better at dealing with those balls. He responds with an ace, though, then another, and what a shame he couldn’t hit this serving seam earlier in the piece. After a little sit-down, Zverev will serve for the match.
Fery (0)6-7 2-6 3-5 Zverev* Zverev’s only lost four points on second serve the whole match, we learn, a ridiculous state of affairs. “Sickeningly good serve,” says Mac as another love hold means he’s within a game of the final. The last two matches, he’s played pretty much as well as he can, but will he be able to find a similar level in the final? Will he be allowed to?
Rachel Hall
By the end of the first set, Wimbledon’s Henman Hill was so packed that security guards had closed entry, and a queue of dozens of frustrated Fery fans eager to claim their spot had built up at the entry point.
“Where are all these people coming from,” asked one exasperated security guard, as he tried to move spectators on from blocking pathways with growing desperation. One fan exclaimed: “It’s crazy trying to get a spot on the hill!”
George Pitchford, from Clapham, managed to squeeze on by arriving an hour early. It’s his sixth Wimbledon but he observed: “It’s crazy, I’ve never seen it this busy.”
A somewhat subdued atmosphere descended on the crowd as Fery struggled against Zverev in the first two sets.
“The game’s not going maybe as you would like it, but it’s decent,” Pitchford said, noting that Fery was looking “washed out a bit”.
He added: “I think everyone’s just so happy to see him. Such a good story, you know, it might end now but he’s been great.”
“It’s great to have firstly a British player in the semi-finals again, we’ve actually had a bit of a lull since Murray, so yeah it’s really nice to be able to get behind someone.”
“I miss Andy Murray, really,” said Sebastian Hazzan, from London, adding: “But he could be [the next one].”
He hoped that despite Fery’s struggles he might prevail. “I love an underdog, I guess, and he’s an inspiration.”
He and his friend Eve Eyimah were teetered with “one toe on the grass” on the edge of the hill in a desperate bid to evade the scrutiny of security guards. “They’re very strict,” Hazzan added.
*Fery (0)6-7 2-6 3-4 Zverev Fery wafts a forehand and, again from way behind the line, Zverev administers due punishment, leaping into a forehand winner. Then, next point, Fery comes in only to go long for no reason other than weight of pressure and when the next return arrives on to the baseline and near his feet, he’s no time to adjust. That’s 15 points in a row for Zverev as well as three chances to secure a double break … but Fery saves them all, one with an ace – his first of the match – and another with decent net-play; Zverev’s applause might’ve been well intentioned, but might’ve seemed patronising. But it takes us to deuce, another ace raises advantage … and yet another, Fery’s third of the game – he now knows what he has to do to hold – secures the game.
Fery (0)6-7 2-6 2-4 Zverev* I’m afraid Fery knows – he’ll enjoy an affirming ovation when he leaves court, but he’s no response to the power, accuracy and conviction coming back at him from the other side of the net. Even when, at 30-0, Zverev leaves a ball short, the young man can’t capitalise, momentum soon reversed and the point soon confiscated, the love consolidation secured with a serve out wide and forehand clean-up.
*Fery (0)6-7 2-6 2-3 Zverev Fery nets a backhand, then another forehand winner, inside-out to the corner, makes 0-30. The next point is pretty well constructed by the Brit, but from way behind the baseline and on the run, Zverev folds limbs to slaughter a backhand down the line that’s too good to return … then, from that same corner, he delivers a forehand cross that’s equally brilliant, and he’s hitting it so clean you wonder if he’s bleached his strings. Thus does he break, and he’s three games away from his first Wimbledon final, playing better than he ever has.
Fery (0)6-7 2-6-2-2 Zverev* An old habit resurfaces as Zverev nets a volley he shouldn’t, but a netted return takes us to 15-all and a netted backhand to 30-15. And from there, another simple hold is secured – it’s been quite some time since Zverev has bee under any kind of threat.
*Fery (0)6-7 2-6 2-1 Zverev A fine return on to the line, then a monstrous backhand winner make 0-15, then another backhand incites the netted volley for 0-30; it really is one of the best shots in the game. Fery, though, fights back to 30-all, a service winner raises game point … then he’s fractionally wide with a backhand cross. He gets it right next time, though, this time line, and from there, secures his hold, playing better than in the second set – but can he make Zverev less comfortable?
Fery (0)6-7 2-6 1-1 Zverev* Down 15-0, Fery tries a loopier return, for all the good it does him; Zverev again saunters into mid-court and puts it away, then follows it with an ace. And from there, he secures his love hold; I’d not be surprised to see him break next game.
*Fery (0)6-7 2-6 1-0 Zverev A much more authoritative game from Fery, but at 40-15 he wafts a backhand long to give Zverev a sniff … but finds a service winner to resolve the situation. The comeback is on…
Fery returns to court, but has the change of scene changed his game?
As you might, Fery nips off court for a change of scene – he hit just three winners in that set – so here’s something to read in the meantime:
Alexander Zverev wins the second set to lead Arthur Fery 7-6(0) 6-2
Fery (0)6-7 2-6 Zverev* I wonder if Zverev will have the stones to play like against Djokovic or Sinner in the final – yes, assuming he gets to it – and how they might turn that proactivity against him. For now, though, he’s managing, quickly making 30-0 then, when Fery nets a return, he has three set points. And he only needs one, a serve out wide, another netted return, and I’m afraid this match feels over; Zverev is rampant.
*Fery (0)6-7 2-5 Zverev Todd Woodbridge suggests Fery play more aggressively, and he’s a brilliant analyst who knows a lot more about this stuff than I do. Thing is, I’m sure he’d like to, I just think he can’t because of what’s coming at him from the other side of the net – it’s not intimidation, though there’s some of that I’m sure, just that his weapons have been taken away from him. And when, at 30-15, he sends down a double, the sense is that the set will soon be over, and though he does make 40-30, when he whacks a ball at Zverev, who ought really to have finished the point with his first volley, the second one does the trick, reactions ridiculous. Then, when Fery makes advantage, a double restores deuce … but the Brit closes out his first game won in five. Even the longest journey begins with one step.
Fery (0)6-7 1-5 Zverev* Fery comes in but his approach is too close to Zverev, whose lob leaves him stranded. Playing like this, he’s a nasty proposition, a 124mph second serve telling us everything about his state of mind, and though he doesn’t win the point, an ace follows for 40-15, the hold quickly secured. I fear Fery has nothing in his toolbox to deal with this onslaught.
*Fery (0)6-7 1-4 Zverev At this point, it’s hard to see Fery winning another game, and when Zverev winner makes 0-15, these last two matches the best I’ve seen him play on grass – by far. There’s never been such authority in his groundstrokes, nor such conviction in his decision-making, attacking options embraced, and at 15-30, he slices a backhand when he sees Fery coming in, then dashes to net to flick a pass on to the sideline, and he only needs one go at securing the double-break, another good return forcing the long response. Over the last two weeks, we’ve seen Fery come back from various unpromising situations, but the step-up in class looks too much for him to handle.
Fery (0)6-7 1-3 Zverev* Zverev is absolutely oozing confidence now, playing with freedom and adventure, mentality finally backing up physicality. A backhand winner, ushered line with Fery caught at net, makes 30-0, then the Brit nashes in after a poor drop only to net his riposte, then a forehand annihilated flat and line – at 103 mph! – secures the consolidation. Zverev is doing to Fery what he did to Fritz, hitting the shots he sees rather than second-guessing himself, and his power is just too much.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jul/10/wimbledon-2026-jannik-sinner-novak-djokovic-arthur-fery-alexander-zverev-mens-semi-finals-tennis-live
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