Right, that’s it from us for today, but I’ll leave you with Tumaini’s match reports, and Simon’s preview of the historic all-Czech women’s final between Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova. I’ll be back for that tomorrow, and Daniel will return for Sinner v Zverev on Sunday. Bye!

Djokovic has already been into the press conference room: “I was half a step late in every shot. He was a level or more better than I was. I wasn’t sharp enough to play him. There’s not much I could do on the court.” But despite that assessment, when asked if he’ll be back next year, aged 40, he replied: “I’d like to, at least one more time.” While he can still beat the best of the rest, behind Sinner and Alcaraz, why not? And he deserves a final goodbye. But if Sinner is still playing like he did today, and Alcaraz is fit again, the idea of Djokovic winning will surely be even more fanciful by then.

As for Djokovic, this Wimbledon most likely represented his greatest chance to claim that elusive 25th slam, because of the shorter points on grass and also with Carlos Alcaraz absent, but the truth is his most recent major triumph was three years ago, when he was 36. The odds are getting longer and longer. Federer and Nadal were also 36 when they won their last slam titles. Having ruled at the top of the game together, it would somehow seem fitting if they ending up going out in the same way too.

So it’ll the the No 1 seed v the No 2 seed in Sunday’s final, in a head-to-head that Sinner has absolutely dominated since 2024, winning their past nine matches (and the past six in straight sets, including the 2025 Australian Open final), after Zverev had won four of their first five meetings. But … Zverev is a different player now, walking a little taller and playing with more belief and aggression after finally getting over the grand slam line at the French Open, so another demolition job by Sinner is by no means certain.

“Amazing. It means a lot that I can play one more final here,” says a smiling Sinner. “It’s the most special tournament we have. What Novak is still doing is amazing. We always have tough matches, the last one he won in the semis in Australia, so I tried to make a couple of adjustments. He had a tough match against Felix in the last round, which we’ll remember. I tried to stay aggressive, serving very well, which helped me a lot today. He’s the best returner in our game so I tried to mix it up and I’m very happy with the performance, with where I am, back in the finals, and of course we hope for a good final on Sunday.”

Finally, he’s asked what it’s like to play in front of so many fashion icons. “Nerve-wracking,” he replies, as Anna Wintour smiles in the Royal Box. She was a huge Federer fan back in the day, but I wonder if Sinner, after that display, is now her numero uno.

A standing ovation for Djokovic, who raises his arms in the air and acknowledges the crowd, before departing. Will this be his final exit on the court where he has reigned seven times? It doesn’t necessarily look like it from his body language. But of course it doesn’t get any easier playing the generation game. He’ll be 40 by the time Wimbledon comes around next year.

Third set: Sinner* 6-4, 6-4, 5-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

“I will never forget Djokovic’s incredible, heroic 5 hour 5 set win over FAA in the quarters,” emails Gavriella Epstein-Lightman. “He found a top level that eludes many in the tight moments, and seemed to defy age. Perhaps, then, it was inevitable that the physical and emotional exertion of that win would catch up on him, as it is now against Sinner. Djokovic lacks the competitive fire and energy that characterised his previous match, and he’ll need a damascene conversion - a moment of inspiration - to turn this one around.” Some serve volleying keeps Djokovic in the match … but Sinner will return after the changeover to serve this out …

Third set: Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 5-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

The quandary for Djokovic and his future, as he slides closer to defeat at 30-0 on Sinner’s serve, is that he played only four tournaments this year before Wimbledon and he’s still able to turn up, without much match practice, and beat everyone in his path apart from Sinner (at the Australian Open it was everyone apart from Alcaraz). There’ll be much talk, of course, after this match about when the 39-year-old will retire, but why would he when he’s still able to get so close to that 25th major? And yet … he’s still so far. Sinner holds to love, sealing it with an ace, and Djokovic must hold serve to extend this semi-final any further.

Third set: Sinner* 6-4, 6-4, 4-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Sinner has a break point at 30-40. And this one may as well be a match point, because if Sinner wins it, he’ll be serving for the match with the comfort of a double break. The Djoker pulls an ace out of his pack to save it, and an unreturned serve gets him to his advantage, and another ace settles matters! But his serving resistance may be futile, because Sinner is still two games from victory and back-to-back Wimbledon finals.

Third set: Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 4-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Another 30-all situation on Sinner’s serve. But a 13th ace prevents the chance of another break point as Sinner brings up 40-30. This is a similar scoreline to last year’s semi-final between the two; Djokovic was injured then, he doesn’t seem hindered today, despite the calf injury he suffered in the quarter-final against Felix Auger-Aliassime, though the five-plus hours he played in that match may well have affected his ability to get to that extra ball today … just as a forehand strike from Sinner drags Djokovic out of court on game point, and he blazes well wide.

Third set: Sinner* 6-4, 6-4, 3-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Speaking of Nadal (a couple of games ago), I’d really recommend watching his documentary, if you haven’t already. Not only does it show how humble he is, it was eye-opening in terms of the level of pain he played at for so many years. I’m not sure there have been many other sportspeople so willing to suffer for their success. But anyway, Djokovic, after pushing Sinner so close in that last game without having a break to show for it, does at least hold to 15 as he puts that missed break point out of his mind.

Third set: Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 3-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

But finding a way to do any damage on Sinner’s serve is another matter entirely. Even Djokovic’s wife is joining in the chants as he advances to 30-all … but Sinner snuffs out her hope and that of the crowd’s with a smash. But look here, Djokovic takes the next point for deuce, and then Sinner can’t chase down the drop shot in time and Djokovic has his first break point! “NOLE, NOLE, NOLE, NOLE!” chant the crowd once more. “He’s finally getting the respect from the crowd he deserves [in his career]; I love it,” says Agassi. But Sinner turns back into a serving machine and he thwacks, whacks and cracks his way through the next three points to hold. Normal service has resumed.

Third set: Sinner* 6-4, 6-4, 2-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Rafael Nadal, Coco Gauff and Kim Clijsters also quickly come to mind, when I think of the most humble champions. And Sinner consolidates the break just as quickly … and then he’s pushing and probing again on the Djokovic serve at 15-30, and although Djokovic scrambles to 40-30, Sinner just isn’t letting up and sprints back to his advantage. And another break point. Djokovic, gamely, finds a way to hold, courtesy of a couple of drop shots and a fortunate net cord.

Sinner breaks: *Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 1-0 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic is bent over, gasping for air, as he slides 15-40 down in the opening game of the third. These aren’t quite match points yet, but they’re not too far from it. Djokovic, with his wife and children watching in his box, wildly fluttering their paper fans in this Centre Court sauna, saves both – and is suddenly the coolest person in the house as he saves a third, at Sinner’s advantage, with a fine forehand winner. But he can’t fend off a fourth when, opting to volley off a second serve, he nets. Sinner is in total command. And Dean Moull is back. “Just one more Andre (full disclosure he is my all time favourite player) related comment, how rare is it to hear someone so successful and talented be so humble…he really is a legend (and he married up too).” Ah, Andre and Steffi, two of my all-time favourites too.

Second set: Sinner 6-4, 5-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Dean Moull emails. “First, is it me or should Andre do a sleeping app for insomniacs? Or maybe bedtime stories for kids who refuse to sleep? [YES AND YES!] Smooth isn’t the word! Also, it’s a strange match insofar as notwithstanding the awesome talent of both and the incredible achievements of both (and particularly Novak obviously) the match lacks a romantic or artistic component…I guess we all hope for a 5 setter of sustained excellence but something is missing…the gasps are of admiration rather than of joy, we’re missing the involuntary giggles prompted by an absurd shot by Carlos for example… Still…they are rather good aren’t they!!” Yes, Alcaraz is the greatest showman, and let’s hope he’s back fit soon, but I also think the lack of jeopardy isn’t helping the atmosphere right now. Cue a hold to love from Sinner, which lessens the second-set intrigue that bit more. He hasn’t faced a single break point in this match.

Sinner breaks: Sinner* 6-4, 4-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

But Djokovic’s level drops here, as he falls 0-30 down. Having been broken at 4-4 in the first set, he’s in danger of being broken at a similar juncture here, and Sinner, from an angle that doesn’t even seem possible from a Djokovic ball down the middle, conjures up a backhand winner for 15-40! For the second successive service game, Djokovic is living very dangerously, and this time he can’t prevent the break, and he’s absolutely rooted the grass as Sinner pulls off a perfect drop shot on the second break point!

First set: Sinner 6-4, 3-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

From 0-30 down, Sinner nails three first serves and it’s 40-30. Just as my computer freezes. When it rouses itself into action, Sinner has held to level this set once more. And some words of wisdom from Agassi for Djokovic: “If you can raise your level just a touch and make the other question themselves just a touch, a lot can swing very quickly. In this sport, as in life, hope is fragile but hard to kill.”

First set: Sinner* 6-4, 2-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

One of the more telling stats of this match is that Djokovic has won only 25% of points on his second serve, while Sinner has claimed 60%. It’s a similar story in this game on Djokovic’s serve and, at 15-all, Djokovic is blown off the baseline – quite literally – by the onslaught from Sinner, as he stumbles backwards and nets. 15-30. Now 15-40. Sinner shanks a forehand on the first break point and nets his return off a punchy first serve on the second. Djokovic hits back behind Sinner to bring up game point, but Sinner drags him back to deuce, before Djokovic takes the next two points to hold.

First set: Sinner 6-4, 2-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

A glimmer for Djokovic at 15-30. And there haven’t been too many of these on Sinner’s serve today. Sinner slams an ace out wide for 30-all, but then gives Djokovic another chance with an unconvincing drop shot that lands a bit too deep … but Djokovic nets! And then batters a backhand long.

First set: Sinner* 6-4, 1-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

That’s one of the interesting aspects of today’s semi-final, that Djokovic, having spent most of his career chasing the adoration of the crowds and not getting it, now has the love he’s always craved. How much of that is because he’s the underdog, or because they know he won’t be around for much longer, or because they want him to get that final piece of tennis history, I’m not sure (it’s probably more the first two than the third, given their love for Federer and Nadal), but they’re screaming loudly when he holds to 30 as Sinner can’t get his return into play.

First set: Sinner 6-4, 1-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

“This is top stuff,” emails Jeremy Boyce. “I’m 69 now and I’ve been watching the Djoker for a long time. I came to a very quick conclusion that, when he’s on it, there is no more lethal assassin than Novak, and that if ever I needed to organise a hit I’d pay a fortune for him to be the man, because you know he will achieve the target. Has he got one more big hit in him?” Well, he does get a hit on Sinner when he swiftly turns defence into attack to win the third point on Sinner’s serve. It rouses the Serbian squad in the stands, who are cheering “NOLE, NOLE, NOLE” perhaps louder than they’ve done up until this point, and the decibel level is raised further when he gets to 30-all. But he can’t make any further inroads and Sinner is met with nothing more than polite applause when he holds.

First set: Sinner* 6-4, 0-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic lost that set despite only five unforced errors and getting 76% of his serves into play. The way Sinner upped his level in the final two games was like the Sinner of 12 months ago, before he conceded his US Open and Australian Open titles and melted away in the French Open heat. But Djokovic will, at least, take comfort in knowing he twice came from a set down to defeat Djokovic in their Australian Open semi-final in January. And he sends Sinner a message of belligerence when he opens the second set with a hold from 30-all.

Sinner breaks: Sinner* 5-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic, at 15-30, misfires on the backhand, to give Sinner two break points, to add to the one he had in game five. Sinner is in command on the first … but makes an absolute hash of the smash, which crashes into the net! Maybe the sun blinded him there. But Sinner has a second … and this time he nails a brilliant backhand winner down the line! Sinner strikes at the perfect time and will serve for the first set!

First set: Sinner 4-4 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

“Hi Katy, how do you think peak Djoker (2015-16) would match up with Alcaraz (pre-injury) and current Sinner?” asks Kerrith Britland. “These questions are dumb I know, but it’s always interesting to consider with Novak because he plays who’s in front of him better than anyone. How would he differ his approach against the two young bucks if he was 10 years younger? Zverev looks scary right now. I think that one GS might be the first of a few.” Well, I think Djokovic, the greatest matchplayer of all, would find a way, more often than not, to win. Peak Djokovic walked through through walls and laughed in the face of defeat before finding a way to come through. Sinner and Alcaraz could match his shots, but not, perhaps, the mentality. Sinner, by the way, holds to love once more.

First set: Sinner* 3-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

The Centre Court crowd are almost back at capacity now, after several took their leave following Zverev’s win over Fery, and they see Sinner secure the first love hold of this semi-final. With both wearing caps in this blazing sun, it’s a little hard to see who’s who from a distance, but some trademark Djokovic stretching from the man with the limbs of elastic and mind of steel, helps make things a little clearer. And Djokovic, never one to be outshone, answers Sinner’s love hold with one of his own.

First set: Sinner* 2-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic advances to 30-0 – neither player has been able to strike any blow on the server so far – but then Djokovic knocks himself down with a first double fault. A backhand exchange follows, before Djokovic moves around his backhand to play an inside-out forehand, but he blazes into the tramlines. 30-all … the first hint of danger on serve … and Sinner has Djokovic on a piece of string, hauling him from one corner to the other, before dispatching the smash! That’s the kind of play that’ll beat the 39-year-old Djokovic. But Sinner can’t strike on the break point, as Djokovic’s backhand down the line elicits the error! And Djokovic drags himself to the hold from there.

First set: Sinner 2-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

A fourth consecutive hold to 15. And here’s Tumaini’s take on the end of Arthur Fery’s Wimbledon odyssey:

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.

*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?

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:

*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.

*Fery (0)6-7 1-2 Zverev A decent return to the baseline is too good for Fery, then another mid-court ball entices Zverev to come in and punish it – he’s latching onto those with extreme prejudice. Next, some serious bad luck for the Brit, a ballkid responding too eagerly and moving on to court before he can finish the point, then a forehand return smoked cross raises three break points, Fery nets a backhand, and i fear this is over as a contest.

Fery (0)6-7 1-1 Zverev* Fery makes Zverev play one more shot and he butchers a simple volley; he’s improved that aspect of his game, but it still looks forced. From 0-15, though, he gets to 40-15, only to shovel a backhand long; can Fery fid a return to get himself into the rally? His return is just about OK, but again, Zverev commits to attack, skipping in to punish a winner and, playing with aggression, he’s a far, far tricker opponent.

*Fery (0)6-7 1-0 Zverev The match might be here: Fery must hold here. And when Zverev swats a dismissive forehand from centre to break the sideline, you worry for him; 0-15. But errors are creeping in so we wind up at 30-all, a vital service winner raising game point and another big delivery allowing a forehand into any part of the court to secure the hold … except Fery nets and, for the first time, he looks to be feeling the pressure. From deuce, though, he quickly closes out the hold, and he badly needed that.

Fery 6-6 Zverev (0-3) Oh Arthur. Down 0-1, he sends down a double, ill timing we’ve rarely seen from him in this competition, and when Fery goes cross on the forehand and the ball falls wide, at 0-3, he’s in trouble.

*Fery 6-6 Zverev Decent baseline hitting incites the unforced error and Zverev has 0-15, but a big serve then deft net-play makes 30-15 – Fery has tremendous hands an imagination. A moonball on to the baseline then encourages Zverev to net for 40-15, and at 40-30, a framed return means we’ll have a first-set breaker. This is going to be like Glastonbury: in tents.

Fery 5-6 Zverev* Zverev beings with an ace and another gives him 40-0, then a forehand larruped on to the baseline means that, at worst, he’ll have a tiebreaker to win the set.

Otherwise, the Little Master is in the house, which gives me inordinate pleasure – and that’s before I see that so too is Tim from The Office, who seems to have spotted his illustrious companion.

*Fery 5-5 Zverev Again, Fery handles his service-game impressively, making 40-0 before picking a decent time to send down his first double of the match. But might it cost him? Zverev lands another superb inside-out forehand on to the sideline, the kind of shot he might not’ve hit a coupe of months ago, but then directs a return into the net and that’s the hold.

Fery 4-5 Zverev* Fery sends a return on to the line and Zverev’s frames his response, which makes 15-all, but from there, he closes out. The Brit must now serve to stay in the set, scoreboard pressure mounting, the excitement that if he can keep holding, he can reduce this match to a few tiebreak-points here and there, which gives him a really good chance.

*Fery 4-4 Zverev So far, Fery’s holds have come fairly conclusively, and though a careless point means he’s down 0-15, he wins a rally from the back when Zverev errs, then nails a T-serve for 30-15. Oh, but from the centre of the baseline, an inside-out forehand to the corner put him under pressure … and again, he makes a nonsense of it, dashing in to play a +1 drop and exploiting how far back Zverev stands to return. A service winner follows, and this is deeply impressive behaviour from the Brit, who’s playing like he belongs.

Fery 3-4 Zverev* Fery’s enjoying himself now, whipping a forehand to the corner that Zverev can’t return. It’s soon 15-all though, after which two big serves take us to game point, and though the gap closes, a forehand winner to the corner secures the hold, and this is a decent contest.

Meantime, Darryl Accone gets in touch:

“Don’t Pay the Feryman”

(As neither composed nor sung by Chris de Burgh)

It was late at night on the Centre Court

Speeding like a man on the return

A lifetime spent preparing for the journey

He is closer now and the search is on

Reading from a map in the mind

Yes there’s the ragged Henman Hill

And there’s the boat on the river Thames

And when the rain came down

He heard a wild dog howl

There were voices in the night, (“Don’t do it”)

Voices out of sight, (“Don’t do it”)

Too many men have failed before

“Whatever you do

Don’t pay the Feryman

Don’t even fix a price

Don’t pay the Feryman

Until he gets you to the other side”

In the rolling mist then he gets on court

Now there’ll be no turning back

Beware that hooded old Djoko man at the rudder

And then the lightning flashed, and the thunder roared

And people calling out his name

And dancing bones that jabbered and a-moaned

On the water

And then the Feryman said,

“There is trouble ahead

So you must pay me now, “ (“Don’t do it”)

“You must pay me now, “ (“Don’t do it”)

And still that voice came from beyond

“Whatever you do

Don’t pay the Feryman

Don’t even fix a price

Don’t pay the Feryman

Until he gets you to the other side”

Yeah!

Don’t pay the ferryman

Don’t even fix a price

Don’t pay the Feryman

Until he gets you to the other side

Don’t pay the Feryman

Don’t even fix a price

Don’t pay the Feryman

Until he gets you to the other side.”

I forgot to use my Fery cross Cobolli line on Wednesday, but I guess if he wins, we can try Fery cross the Zvere.

*Fery 3-3 Zverev At 30-all, Zverev goes long, but Fery, though he opens shoulders on a forehand, can’t see off game point, a slice sitting up mid-court, and the treatment is duly applied; deuce. He quicky maskers advantage, though, a decent second-serve doping the business, then Zverev thrashes at a forehand and we’re back level.

In other news, the Spice Boys appear to be reincarnating.

Fery 2-3 Zverev* Fery lands a get on to the line and Zverev nets, then there’s a dispute when a serve he thinks caught the tape is called good; 15-all. But another terrific get keeps him in the next rally, and though he doesn’t do enough when Zverev lays a drop that sits up, a netted responds means that, at 15-30, he’s a sniff. And have a look! Racing in to retrieve a drop, he not only gets there but caresses a beauty of a riposte across the face of the net, so oblique it would win the world athletics 100m, and the crowd explodes. Two break points, Zverev overhits a forehand, and that’s the break right back! This is shaping up!

Wimbledon’s iconic grass slope has had two monikers paying homage to homegrown talent in recent decades - Henman Hill and Murray Mound - and today tennis fans are hoping it might be renamed Arthur’s Seat if the latest British star triumphs in the semi-final.

The hill is looking the busiest it has been all fortnight, with barely an inch of grass left on which to sit as thousands of Arthury Fery fans arrived to watch the Centre Court on a big screen and soak up the atmosphere. Security guards are desperately urging visitors who failed to turn up early enough to avoid blocking pathways.

Those who had secured the best spots arrived at least two hours early – some with their laptops perched on their legs or picking up harried phone calls as they tried to juggle their work commitments with last minute leave to catch Britain’s greatest tennis hope.

Sophie Coles let her nine-year-old daughter, Florence, skip school for a day in SW19 on Wednesday after she got two ground passes through a friend. “We thought it was okay to take her out for the day,” Coles said. “It’s her goal to play here anyway.”

As the match got underway, the hill’s customary polite clapping exploded into loud cheers. One fan waved an England flag with “king Arthur” scrawled on top.

*Fery 1-3 Zverev Up 15-0, Fery mistimes a forehand, hooking it wide, then Zverev punishes a return cross-court for 15-30, and rams a forehand down the line to raise two break points. He’s motoring now, and when Fery nets from mid-court – pressure tells – the break is secured.

Fery 1-2 Zverev* Zverev nets a backhand … redeemed with an ace. A classic one-two combo follows, the a service winner for 40-15, and from there the holds is quickly secured. That’s much better from the German, but can he make an impression on the Fery serve?

*Fery 1-1 Zverev Fery begins well, three errors from Zverev taking him to 40-0, and again, he seems totally at home in a daunting situation – he’s be no fun in a cartoon, the anti-Shaggy. A further mistake from hands him the simplest of holds, and this is an impressive start. But given Zverev will surely improve, the question now is whether he can cash in before that happens.

Fery 0-1 Zverev* (*denotes server) Zverev’s easy power takes him to 30-0, but then Fery guides a backhand down the line and on to the tootsies – the crowd love it – with keeping the ball low is another way of taking away what his opponent does well, a crucial part of beating an overdog and a hobby horse of Jack Slack, the fight analyst. And a double follows for 30-all, but then a big serve sets up a swing volley … except an overhit backhand takes us to deuce, then Zverev can’t close out the game from advantage, and though he quickly resolves things from this second deuce, Fery is into the match. This is why he opted to receive, but can he get his serve going?

Centre Court is abuzz, we’re ready for play, ready … play.

Fery wins the toss and opts to receive – either because he’s nervous and doesn’t want to serve until he’s settled, or because he wants to apply pressure right away. Or both.

What a walk this is, through the corridor and history, down the stairs, past the trophies and by the board; there goes the fear again.

Aha, here they come…

So where is the match? Fery will, I think look to hit backhands early and down the line, targeting Zverev’s forehand while stopping it from fully extending, and I expect him to try and get Zverev to the net, where he has the volleying edge. I also wonder if he’ll try some body-serves to cramp those long arms.

Zverev, I imagine, will do what he usually does, but will look to pin Fery in corners and on the baseline, so he can’t use his speed to run things down.

Oh man, we’re watching Fery taking questions from Mac, Henman and Bartoli. We said on Wednesday that his life would never be the same again and it won’t, but if he pulls it off today, he’ll enter an entirely new realm. What a fortnight this has been for 90s teenagers and fans of luscious curtains.

BBC have just shown a message sent to Fery by none other than … Dan Burn. Imagine what a buzz that must’ve been, stuff of which dreams are made.

Email! “I have only one issue with your preamble,” says Krishnamoorthy V. “You can’t discuss Djokovic with Sinner, Zverev and Fery. The other three are humans.”

What he’s doing is so, so ridiculous – and he’s doing it, so it seems, without exacting the toll on body and mind that Nadal did. On which point, this is excellent on him and that.

Henry’s coach, Calvin Betton, is our resident expert, and he messages on today’s matches as follows – after I asked if he thinks Fery has top-30 ability:

Not something I’ve heard anyone say. He’s very talented. But also it’s grass-court tennis, which is very particular, and he’s had a phenomenal draw. Backhand is elite level. He can take it so early. Especially on return. Has great hands and a good serve for a small lad. I give Fery half a chance just coz of how good a returner he is and Zverev isn’t that good on grass. Fery will take everything early and try rush him.

Housekeeping: while Katy was regaling you with yesterday’s brilliant women’s semis, I was lucky enough to be on No 1 Court for the men’s doubles, watching Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara make it through to their second Wimbledon final – they won it in 2024 – and their second grand slam final in a row – they lost in Paris.

It was a terrific match too, played in front of a riveted and near-capacity crowd, making an absolute nonsense of those claiming no one’s interested in doubles and seeking to take money from doubles players and give it to those already doing very nicely from singles. They meet Arevalo and Pavic in tomorrow’s final; do no miss it.

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