Jannik Sinner has demonstrated strong form at Wimbledon amid warmer conditions, dispelling concerns about his physical resilience in heat following a challenging early exit at the French Open last month. The defending Wimbledon champion had retired from a third-round match at Roland Garros against Juan Manuel Cerundolo after leading 6-3, 6-2, 5-1, citing difficulties coping with a Paris heatwave. Since then, Sinner has incorporated hot-weather training into his regimen, which proved beneficial as he competed in temperatures reaching 31C (88F) in London.
On Wednesday, Sinner advanced with a straight-sets victory over Jan-Lennard Struff, winning 7-5, 7-6, 6-3. Struff, a 36-year-old unseeded player enjoying his best Grand Slam run, was outmatched by the top seed’s improved play. Sinner recorded 16 aces compared to Struff’s 12, highlighting an enhanced serve that the Italian credits for his recent success. “I felt like I was serving quite intelligently, even though I was up a break,” Sinner said, acknowledging a momentary drop in concentration in the second set but emphasizing his focus during crucial service games. He noted that maintaining mental composure in critical moments was key given the threat posed by strong servers like Struff.
Sinner also commented on the contrasting weather conditions between London and Paris, stating that the dry heat in England was more manageable than the humid and warm climate he faced in France. This environment allowed him to feel comfortable and perform at his best.
Meanwhile, other Wimbledon storylines are unfolding. Alexander Zverev, seeded second, overcame a disruption in his fourth-round match against Jiri Lehecka caused by an 11pm curfew. With the match suspended while Zverev led two sets to none and tied 3-3 in the third, play resumed the next day, and Zverev secured a four-set win. He will face Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals, with Fritz being a potential opponent for British hopeful Arthur Fery in the semi-finals.
Fery, a British wildcard ranked 114th, is making his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final appearance and is set to face ninth seed Flavio Cobolli. Fery has displayed resilience throughout the tournament, coming from behind in his previous two matches to win decisive tie-breaks. The 23-year-old attributes part of his mental toughness to adventurous activities like cliff jumping during his youth, which helped him confront fear. He acknowledges that his upcoming match against Cobolli will be more challenging than their first career meeting earlier this year, where Fery won in Melbourne while Cobolli was not at full health.
Fery’s rapid rise has drawn praise from experienced peers and his coaching team. Fritz, now ranked seventh, recalled training sessions with Fery that revealed the Brit’s powerful forehand and serve, while Fery’s coach, Jeroen Benard, described his player’s ability to embrace pressure and thrive on big stages. Benard noted that despite the high stakes, Fery’s preparation remains consistent with lower-level events, focusing on maintaining mental balance alongside physical treatment and training.
As Wimbledon progresses, both the defending champion Sinner and rising talent Fery are capturing attention with their performances and composure under pressure.