Arthur Fery Reaches Wimbledon Semifinals After Upsetting Cobolli

Arthur Fery, the British tennis player ranked 114th in the world, qualified for the semifinals of Wimbledon after defeating Flavio Cobolli with a score of 6-4, 7-6(4), and 6-0. This match took place on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, and it has injected a wave of excitement into British tennis as he becomes only the second wildcard to reach this stage since Goran Ivanisevic in 2001. Fans had concerns that, following the injuries of Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu, they would have no reason to follow this year’s Wimbledon, especially with England competing in the quarter-finals of the football World Cup. However, Fery's performance has provided a thrilling distraction.

Born in Sèvres, near Paris, Fery plays under the British flag due to support he received from the LTA throughout his career. Fery's semifinal match is set against Alexander Zverev, the second seed and reigning champion of Roland Garros, which promises to be a challenging encounter.

Fery is the fifth local player to advance to the semifinals in the Open Era, joining the ranks of renowned players such as Andy Murray, Tim Henman, Roger Taylor, and Cameron Norrie. His journey in the tournament thus far and the energy he draws from the home crowd have captivated audiences. His achievement echoes the success of other wildcard entrants, namely Jimmy Connors, who reached similar stages at the US Open in 1991, and Henri Leconte at Roland Garros in 1992.