Grigor Dimitrov edged out Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3 on Saturday to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon, a cathartic victory a year after a pectoral muscle injury forced him to retire against Jannik Sinner. The Bulgarian, who had been playing some of the best tennis of his career before the injury, said he was 'so happy' to be back on Centre Court.
Dimitrov's Emotional Return
After the match, Dimitrov hurdled the net to embrace Berrettini. 'Honestly, it's amazing to be back here,' he said. 'I'm just so happy, so happy. Honestly, I just wanted to come and compete again in front of you guys. There's something special in the air.'
Dimitrov broke early in the first set and never looked back, winning 74% of points on his second serve compared to Berrettini's 20%. His superior net play also paid dividends. However, Berrettini fought back, breaking for a 4-2 lead in the third set and then forcing a decider.
Berrettini's Fightback Falls Short
Berrettini, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2021, has been beset by injuries since. He broke for 3-1 in the fourth set, but Dimitrov broke back. Berrettini snatched another break for 6-5 and levelled the match. The momentum swung in the final set, but Dimitrov broke for 2-1 and held on, clinching victory on his second match point when Berrettini hit a forehand long.
'He played amazing in the third and fourth [sets],' Dimitrov said. 'I had chances but he started serving so well. I had to reframe my mind just to stay positive and say I'd get a chance. I didn't know when but in the end I served really well the last three games.'
Other Fourth-Round Results
The fifth seed, Alex de Minaur, beat American Zach Svajda 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the fourth round for the fourth time in five years. He will face Flavio Cobolli, the runner-up at last month's French Open. 'I need to remind myself more frequently that best-of-five is a completely different beast,' De Minaur said.
French Open champion Alexander Zverev equalled his best Wimbledon run, beating Marcos Giron 6-2, 7-6 (4), 6-4. Sixth seed Taylor Fritz defeated Lorenzo Sonego 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (5), and Alexander Bublik fought past Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (11), 4-6, 6-3.
