Alexander Zverev is turning the screw on Arthur Fery in their Wimbledon semi-final, the German’s power and precision leaving the British wildcard in deep trouble in the second set on Centre Court.

After a fiercely contested opening set that Fery pushed all the way to a tie-break, Zverev has ruthlessly exposed the gap in experience. The French Open champion unleashed a barrage of first serves, regularly clearing 130mph, and mixing in a 139mph thunderbolt that left spectators gasping and Fery rooted to the spot.

What began as a buoyant, hopeful afternoon for the home crowd has shifted into a harsh lesson at the highest level. Fery matched Zverev from the baseline early on, trading heavy groundstrokes and even breaking the German’s serve, but the tie-break proved brutal. Zverev raced through it, suffocating Fery with relentless depth and pace, forcing error after error as the Briton’s composure deserted him.

The second set has only deepened the imbalance. Zverev has surged to a double-break lead, his forehand suddenly heavier and more aggressive, repeatedly pinning Fery in the corners. Returns that Fery handled comfortably in the first set are now flying long or into the net as the German’s tempo rises.

On Fery’s serve, the pressure is constant. Zverev is stepping inside the baseline on second serves, hammering backhand and forehand winners off anything short. One game saw the Brit bullied from 0-30 as Zverev chased down a wide ball and clipped the sideline, then pounced on a tentative backhand to seal yet another break.

Fery has produced flashes of defiance – crisp volleys at the net, a few brave 120mph-plus first serves, and the occasional laser backhand into the corner – but they have been isolated moments rather than a sustained surge. Each time he steadies, Zverev responds with a love hold or a flurry of unreturnable serves, slamming the door on any hint of a comeback.

From here, Fery needs not just courage but near-perfect tennis to turn this around. Zverev, brimming with confidence and variety, is playing like a man intent on adding a Wimbledon final to his growing Grand Slam résumé.