Alexander Zverev has a lot on the line heading into his Wimbledon semi-final.
Zverev beat a physically hampered Taylor Fritz to reach the final four at Wimbledon for the first time in his career.
The Roland Garros champion will now look to reach back-to-back major finals for the first time in his career, with Zverev facing British wildcard Arthur Fery in the semi-finals.
Not only does Zverev have the opportunity to reach his first Grand Slam final, but he also has an added incentive relating to Carlos Alcaraz.
Alexander Zverev would overtake Carlos Alcaraz if he beats Arthur Fery
Zverev is the second seed at Wimbledon this year, despite being the world number three, as world number two Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the tournament due to a wrist injury.
The German now has a big opportunity to take advantage of his rivals’ absence, which Zverev is likely to be aware of for his semi-final against Fery.
If Zverev is able to beat world number 114 Fery, he will be confirmed to overtake Alcaraz as the world number two.
Do you believe Arthur Fery can win Wimbledon?
This would match Zverev’s previous career-high ranking, which he first achieved in June 2022.
It could also benefit Zverev heading into the US Open, as he would be guaranteed to be the second seed and avoid world number one Jannik Sinner until at least the final, regardless of whether Alcaraz is playing.
Alexander Zverev would achieve Open Era tennis history if he wins Wimbledon
Overtaking Alcaraz as world number two is not the only big thing that Zverev can achieve at Wimbledon this year.
Zverev won his first Grand Slam at Roland Garros last month and he is now two wins away from going back-to-back at Wimbledon.
No man has ever achieved this in the Open Era, and Zverev could now make tennis history.
How many more Grand Slams does Alexander Zverev win now?
What a final!
The last men’s singles player to win their second Grand Slam at the next major tournament after winning their first is John Newcombe, who won Wimbledon and the US Open back-to-back in 1967.
If Zverev is to match Newcombe’s achievement from before the Open Era, he will need to beat Fery and then either Sinner or Novak Djokovic.
