LONDON : Grigor Dimitrov returned to the fourth round at Wimbledon on Saturday, a year after his title hopes were ended by injury, beating former finalist Matteo Berrettini 6-3 6-4 3-6 5-7 6-3 to earn another chance in the tournament’s second week.
The 35-year-old Bulgarian, who retired in tears from his last-16 match against eventual champion Jannik Sinner last year after suffering a pectoral tear while leading by two sets, said the victory marked a chance to move on from that painful exit.
“I think after last year, the way I exited, I would have never known what would have happened, but guess what? This year, I’m back here and I’m able to rewrite everything again,” Dimitrov said on court.
“I’m just trying to be completely honest here and vulnerable in front of you guys. It’s not about winning or losing. It’s just for me to overcome every obstacle that I have in front of me, stay more in the present moment and enjoy moments like this.
“I repeated that more than a thousand times throughout the match today. It’s not very often that you come out here and play here and I really don’t know how many more times I’ll be able to do it, so I might as well make the most out of it.”
Dimitrov dominated the opening two sets on Centre Court before Berrettini, the 2021 runner-up, fought back to level the match at two sets apiece.
A 15-minute delay to close the roof did little to help Dimitrov’s rhythm as the Italian forced a decider, but the Bulgarian responded with some of his best tennis in the fifth set.
He broke serve for a 3-1 lead with a trademark one-handed backhand winner down the line and never looked back, sealing victory with a comfortable hold of serve.
Dimitrov will face Britain’s Arthur Fery for a place in the quarter-finals.
“I’m just looking forward to coming back and competing again,” Dimitrov said. “It’s wonderful to be in the second week, and yeah, let’s keep the good times rolling.”
