Wimbledon: Sinner avenges defeat against Djokovic, faces Zverev in the final
Italian Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1 and defending champion, avenged his loss to veteran Serbian Novak Djokovic, ranked eighth, to reach the Wimbledon final, the third of the four Grand Slam tournaments, defeating him 6-4, 6-4, and 6-4 on Friday. He will now face third-ranked German Alexander Zveref.
After defeating Djokovic in five consecutive meetings, Sinner fell to the Serbian early in the year in the Australian Open semifinals, relinquishing the titles he had won in 2024 and 2025. However, he succeeded today in restoring his reputation and reaching the seventh major final of his career, hoping to claim his fifth title.
The 24-year-old said, “It’s amazing. It means a lot to me to be able to play in another final here. It is the tournament closest to my heart.”
The Italian, coming off a disappointing performance at Roland Garros where his campaign ended in the second round, added, “I felt I had to raise my level today, and I did. I am happy to return to the final, and we hope, of course, to put on a good final match.”
Djokovic’s (39) quest to break the all-time record for the most Grand Slam singles titles, which he currently shares with Australian Margaret Court (24 each), was delayed once again.
After losing his seventh match against Sinner in five victories, Djokovic failed to continue his dream of tying Roger Federer’s record by winning his eighth Wimbledon singles title and reaching the 11th final at the English tournament and his 39th Grand Slam final (he trails Federer’s record by seven).
Zverev ends Fery’s adventure
For his part, Zverev ended British player Arthur Fery’s campaign by defeating him 7-6 (7-0), 6-2, and 6-4.
Zverev had never advanced beyond the fourth round in his previous nine appearances at this tournament, but it seems his victory in his first major title just a few weeks ago at Roland Garros gave him the mental boost to reach the final, which will be his fifth in a Grand Slam.
On the other hand, Fery’s adventure ended. The 23-year-old, ranked 114th in the world, became the first player to receive a wildcard entry and reach the men’s singles semifinals at the All England Club since Croatian Goran Ivanisevic, who won the title in 2001.
Fery had hoped to become the first British player to win the men’s singles title at Wimbledon since Andy Murray in 2016, but Zverev’s experience played a role in ending his run.
Zverev said, “It’s wonderful. I know that 99.9 percent of the crowd in the stadium wanted Arthur to win, but despite that, the atmosphere was great.”
Zverev became the first German player to reach the Wimbledon final since Boris Becker in 1995.
He is now one win away from ending his country’s 35-year wait for a singles title at the All England Club, specifically since 1991 when Michael Stich defeated his compatriot Becker.
The 29-year-old is also only the third player in the Open era to win his first major title and then immediately reach the final of the next Grand Slam tournament.
Zverev, who has lost only two sets in the tournament so far, added, “This Grand Slam has always been the most difficult for me, and suddenly I find myself in the Wimbledon final. I am very happy.”
He continued, “But there is still another match on Sunday, and that is what we are focusing on.”
Zverev faces a much tougher test in the final against Sinner, as the German has lost his last nine meetings against the Italian, including the Australian Open final last year.
