Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Grigor Dimitrov, the popular Bulgarian whose injury was the heartbreak story of last year’s Wimbledon, has roared into the last-16 again to the delight of his vast fan club at SW19.
But the veteran may find the cheers being aimed elsewhere when he meets the lone, surprise British survivor Arthur Fery in the fourth round.
Dimitrov looked to be on his way to victory over the eventual champion Jannik Sinner last year when he was two sets up in their last-16 clash but then suffered a pectoral tear which made for a long absence and a difficult return to the sport.
But the 35-year-old, furnished with a wildcard by the All England Club, has returned in style, culminating in Saturday’s (Sunday AEST) emotional five-set, fourth-round win over another Wimbledon favourite, former finalist, Matteo Berrettini, 6-3 6-4 3-6 5-7 6-3.
“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. I’m just trying. It’s not about winning or losing. It’s just for me to overcome every obstacle that I have in front of me and enjoy moments like this.”
Dimitrov will now face Fery, the local lad who grew up five minutes from the venue, after the Briton defeated Belgian Zizou Bergs in a match tiebreak 2-6 7-5 2-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 [10-5].
The 23-year-old wildcard had treatment for persistent nosebleeds, a problem that’s plagued him all tournament, but twice fought from a set down before prevailing in his first ever five-setter.
“A lot of first times today for me,” said a delighted Fery, whose dad is the owner of French Ligue 1 club Lorient. “I’m just so proud of how I handled everything.
“First five-setter, longest match that I’ve ever played, first time breaking into the top 100, first second week in a slam, all at home, five minutes from where I grew up. It’s a great story for me.”
Taylor Fritz marked a busy Fourth of July for the US contingent by defeating Italian Lorenzo Sonego 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-5) on Court 2 to make the last-16 for the fourth time in five years and will next take on the enigmatic Alexander Bublik, who defeated Fritz’s pal Frances Tiafoe 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (13-11) 4-6 6-3 in four hours.
French Open champion Alexander Zverev has looked fairly imperious, buoyed by finally shedding his ‘best player never to win a grand slam’ tag at the recent French Open.
The German moved convincingly into the fourth round, breezing past American Marcos Giron 6-2 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 on No.1 Court. Zverev’s never been past the last-16 stage yet and will have to tame the unpredictable Bublik to do so.
“I’m playing a lot better than I have done the previous years here at Wimbledon. Of course winning the French Open helps with confidence. I think anybody would always sign up to come to Wimbledon as the French Open champion, right?” said Zverev.
In the next round, Zverev will face Czech 13th seed Jiri Lehecka, who defeated Spain’s Jaume Munar 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-4.
