Alexander Zverev's claim about Wimbledon fans ahead of huge Arthur Fery semi-final

Alexander Zverev will be the overwhelming favourite when he steps onto Wimbledon's famous Centre Court on Friday.

The world number three faces a semi-final against wild card Arthur Fery, whose fairytale run to the last four has been backed to the hilt by fans at SW19.

Zverev has the advantage on paper, but it might be a different story on grass, and the German is well aware of what he'll be up against.

French-born Fery was raised in Wimbledon and has been playing tennis under the British flag since 2014.

After reaching the second round of the French Open earlier this year, the 23-year-old has picked up momentum with each passing match in his backyard.

A semi-final spot is already his career-best performance by far and his opponent, who has reached the last four at Wimbledon for the first time after winning the French Open, is expecting to be framed as the villain.

"I’m very happy to play him in the semi-finals," Zverev said via Tennis365.

"I think it’s going to be a great atmosphere. Of course, I know that 99% of the people will be cheering for [Fery].

"But I also enjoy those kind of atmospheres. I enjoy it when the energy is very high.

"I’m very happy to play him in the semi-finals. I think it’s going to be a great atmosphere. Of course, I know that 99% of the people will be cheering for him. But I also enjoy those kind of atmospheres. I enjoy it when the energy is very high."

Fery's route to the Wimbledon semi-finals

Zverev beat American Taylor Fritz in straight sets in the quarter-final after wins against Alexander Blockx, Valentin Royer, Marcos Giron and Jiri Lehecka.

Fery's extraordinary progress began with a win over Damir Dzumhur in four sets and the same against Otto Virtanen in the second round.

The Brit defeated Zizou Bergs in a fifth-set tiebreaker in the third round and repeated the drama against Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth.

He needed only three sets to see off Flavio Cobolli, winning the third to love in the quarter-finals.

Fery is aiming to become the first British finalist in the men's championships at Wimbledon since Andy Murray beat Milos Raonic in 2016.