Grigor Dimitrov is proving age is just a number at Wimbledon after battling into the fourth round with a roller-coaster Saturday night victory over Matteo Berrettini.
Dimitrov, who was a semi-finalist at SW19 in 2014, turned back the years with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3 triumph over former finalist Berrettini. During a match of two halves, the 35-year-old looked to be in firm control early on before getting sternly tested. It is the 14th time in his career that he has prevailed in five sets. Moving him into the last 16 of a major for the 19th time in his career.
“It’s truly amazing to be back here. I’m just so happy,” said Dimitrov.
“I just wanted to come and compete again, and again and again, as much as I could. There’s something special in the air out here (on Centre Court). “
After getting off to a solid start that saw Dimitrov ease through the first two sets with relative ease, it wasn’t until one hour and 45 minutes into the match that he faced a break point. This proved to be a turning point with Berrettini seizing the opportunity to move ahead 4-2 in the third to revive his chances. All of a sudden, Dimitrov’s seemingly straightforward win was no longer the case.
To add to the challenge, play was disrupted for the roof to close before Berrettini broke yet again to move ahead 3-1 in the fourth set. Dimitrov, who was playing under the roof last year when he suffered his injury, retrieved that break, but it failed to tame his opponent. Refusing to back down, Berrettini edged back into the lead to force proceedings into a fifth set.
With all to play for, a moment of brilliance from Dimitrov proved pivotal. A single-handed backhand winner down the line broke the Berrettini serve to move him ahead to 3-1, three games away from victory. Working his way towards the three-and-a-half-hour victory, he prevailed with the help of Berrettini’s 43rd unforced error.
“Tennis is not a sprint; it’s a marathon, especially when it comes to five sets,” he said.
“He (Berrettini) played amazingly in the third and the fourth (sets). I had chances. I was just hanging in there. I felt that eventually I was going to get a chance, but he was serving so well. I think my level dropped a little bit; I made some bad decisions on the court.
“I had to stay positive, and I knew I would get a chance. I didn’t know when, but I felt I had to stay there, and physically, I felt better and better, which helped me a lot.
“In the end, I served really good the last three games. I felt I was finding my groove again. I’m very happy to be able to close the match.”
The win continues Dimitrov’s Wimbledon comeback after the misfortune he suffered at the event 12 months ago. Last year, he was on the verge of beating world No.1 Jannik Sinner when leading 6-3, 7-5, 2-2, before suffering a pectoral injury that forced him to retire and ended up sidelining him from the Tour for three months. When he resumed his career, Dimitrov didn’t get back-to-back wins until June.
“After last year and the way I exited, I will never know what would have happened,” Dimitrov reflected.
“But I’m back this year, and I’m able to rewrite everything again. I’m just trying; it’s not about winning or losing. For me, it’s just trying to overcome every obstacle in front of me.”
“I don’t know how many more times I will come back here, so I might as well make the most out of it.
Berrettini has also endured his own injury nightmares that date back to 2022, when he underwent hand surgery. He has also had to deal with issues with his abdomen, oblique, ankle, right foot and hip. Earlier this year, a hip injury prevented him from playing his French Open quarter-final match.
Dimitrov’s next clash will be against Arthur Fury, who is the last British player remaining in the singles draw. It is the first time that two wild cards have reached the last 16 at Wimbledon since 1990, when Pat Cash and Mark Woodforde did so.
Dimitrov is now 28-15 in matches played at Wimbledon so far in his career. His next opponent will be playing in only his eighth match at the Grand Slam (4-3).
“It’s wonderful to be in the second week and let the good times roll.” He concluded.
