Wimbledon 2025: Zverev dominates Royer, Berrettini through; wildcard Fery reaches Rd 3
Synopsis
French Open champion Zverev looked ominously smooth in a straight-sets cruise, Berrettini turned back the clock on Centre Court, and homegrown wildcard Arthur Fery — playing minutes from where he grew up — became only the fourth British wildcard to reach the Wimbledon men's singles third round since 2000. The grass-court season's biggest fortnight is already delivering.
Key Takeaways
Alexander Zverev (No.2 seed) beat Valentin Royer 6-1, 6-3, 7-6(3) in 2 hours 4 minutes to reach Wimbledon Rd 3.
Matteo Berrettini (No.51) defeated No.20 seed Arthur Fils 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 on Centre Court .
Berrettini reaches the third round for the first time since 2023 ; he was the 2021 Wimbledon runner-up.
British wildcard Arthur Fery , 23 , beat Otto Virtanen 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-3 to become the fourth British wildcard in the men's Rd 3 since 2000 .
The Princess of Wales was in attendance for part of Fery's second-round match.
Alexander Zverev, the reigning French Open champion and No.2 seed, and former finalist Matteo Berrettini both advanced to the third round at Wimbledon on Thursday, 3 July, delivering commanding performances at the All England Club in London. British wildcard Arthur Fery added to the day's headlines with the biggest win of his young career.
Zverev Cruises in Straight Sets
Zverev dispatched Valentin Royer, the world No.75 from France, 6-1, 6-3, 7-6(3) in two hours and four minutes, looking every bit the title contender his Roland Garros triumph suggested. The German channelled the momentum from his Paris victory into a near-flawless display before a brief lapse allowed Royer to make the third set competitive.
'For two and a half sets, I played an almost perfect match,' Zverev said after the win. 'And then I lost a bit of focus, lost a bit of concentration, and he used it very well. And he made it very interesting in the end, but I was definitely happy to be through in straight sets.'
Zverev also spoke candidly about managing his energy levels and building confidence heading deeper into the draw. 'I think it helps with your confidence, especially for me at Wimbledon. I love this tournament, but I'm still waiting for a big result. And if I continue playing like this, I definitely think it can happen this year,' he added.
Berrettini Turns Back the Clock at Centre Court
Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon runner-up now ranked No.51, produced a rousing performance on Centre Court to defeat No.20 seed Arthur Fils 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. The Italian, who dropped the third set, regrouped to seal the match and reach the third round for the first time since 2023. Multiple aces and aggressive baseline play drew loud appreciation from the crowd, underlining that Berrettini — when fit — remains a genuine grass-court threat.
Wildcard Fery Makes History on Home Turf
Arthur Fery, 23, became only the fourth British wildcard to reach the men's singles third round at Wimbledon since 2000, defeating Otto Virtanen 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-3. The result is the biggest of his career to date, and it follows a productive grass-court summer that included finals in Birmingham and Nottingham, as well as a second-round victory over No.4 seed Ben Shelton.
The occasion carried added weight: Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was in attendance for part of the match, yet Fery appeared unfazed. The young Briton, educated near the All England Club, drew on a partisan home crowd throughout.
'Playing five minutes from where I grew up, it's super special. Lots of friends, family, family members, people that I know in the crowd. When I do look around, I always see a familiar face,' Fery said after the win.
What to Watch in Round Three
With Zverev looking sharp and Berrettini rediscovering his grass-court form, the draw is shaping up for a compelling second week. Fery's run will be one of the tournament's most-watched storylines as he bids to become the deepest-running British wildcard in the men's draw in over two decades.
Point of View
But a Slam title tends to rewire a player's belief — and his straight-sets efficiency against Royer suggests that shift may be real. Berrettini's return is the softer story with harder implications: a fit Berrettini on grass is a top-eight threat regardless of ranking. As for Fery, the wildcard narrative is compelling, but the real question is whether his grass-court finals in Birmingham and Nottingham signal a genuine step up or a surface-specific peak that the third round will expose.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Zverev's result at Wimbledon on 3 July 2025?
Alexander Zverev beat Valentin Royer 6-1, 6-3, 7-6(3) in two hours and four minutes to advance to the Wimbledon third round. The No.2 seed and reigning French Open champion was dominant for most of the match before a brief lapse in the third set.
How did Matteo Berrettini perform at Wimbledon 2025?
Berrettini defeated No.20 seed Arthur Fils 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 on Centre Court, reaching the third round for the first time since 2023. The Italian, ranked No.51, dropped the third set before closing out the match with an authoritative fourth.
Who is Arthur Fery and why is his Wimbledon run significant?
Arthur Fery is a 23-year-old British wildcard who grew up near the All England Club. His 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-3 win over Otto Virtanen makes him only the fourth British wildcard to reach the men's singles third round at Wimbledon since 2000, following victories that included a second-round upset of No.4 seed Ben Shelton.
Was the Princess of Wales at Wimbledon on 3 July?
Yes, Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was in attendance for part of Arthur Fery's second-round match. Fery said he appeared unfazed by the high-profile spectator.
What is Zverev's record at Wimbledon heading into the third round?
Zverev has historically sought a deep run at Wimbledon without yet securing a major result at the tournament. After winning the French Open, he said he still feels he is 'waiting for a big result' at Wimbledon and expressed belief that 2025 could be the year it happens.
