Twelve months ago, when Grigor Dimitrov tore his pectoral muscle as he was closing in on victory over Jannik Sinner, the Bulgarian was distraught. Not only had he been outplaying the now world No 1, but he had been playing some of the best tennis of his career. Clutching his chest on Centre Court, he didn’t know how long he would be out or even if he would ever get back to the same level. When Sinner won the title, well, you can guess his thoughts.
On Saturday, Dimitrov edged out a valiant Matteo Berrettini, who has been beset by injuries ever since he reached the final at Wimbledon in 2021, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3 to earn himself a place in the last 16 and a shot at redemption, and perhaps much more. He’ll meet Arthur Fery, the British wildcard who edged out Zizou Bergs in a deciding-set tie-break.
