Berrettini and Dimitrov Set Up Feel Good Third Round 

By Erik Gudris | Friday, July 3, 2026
Photo credit: Shaun Brooks/Camera Sport

If there are any two players who deserve to be enjoying their time at Wimbledon, it’s certainly Matteo Berrettini and Grigor Dimitrov.

Now both men, who have each dealt with their own injury issues in the last few years, find themselves facing each other for a chance to reach the second week at the All England Club.

Berrettini and Dimitrov both knocked out seeded players to face each other in the third round.

Berrettini, a former finalist in 2021, upset No. 20 seed Arthur Fils of France 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 in a strong performance.

Dimitrov found his way past No. 15 Jakub Mensik in stellar style 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

“I know my level. I know I can win against anybody. I know I can make trouble for anybody, especially on this surface,” Berrettini said after the win. “I also know that I can lose matches. This fine line between fear and confidence, it’s really important in tennis.”

Dimitrov, a former World No. 3, led current World No. 1 Jannik Sinner by two sets in their Round of 16 match at last year’s Wimbledon. But then in that match he suffered a heartbreaking pectoral injury that forced him first to retire from that match, and then out of tennis for multiple months. Now he is enjoying a resurgence at this year’s Wimbledon.

“I honestly don’t have much to say other than I’m so happy to be back and just play tennis in front of you guys,” Dimitrov said afterward. “That’s it. I’m very emotional. I’m overwhelmed a little bit.

“It’s just a great match today. All I wanted to do is come out and fight. That was my goal. I didn’t think about winning or losing. Didn’t even think about my body to that extent. The atmosphere was just spectacular, as always.

“You know the past year has been so difficult and again it’s not about winning or losing to get it’s just about conquering myself and playing tennis just like that today, regardless of the outcome.”

Berrettini and Dimitrov, who are tied 1-1 head to head, will certainly aim to put on a show in their next match. 

Dimitrov perhaps summed it up best when he said about the matchup, “If nothing else, it’s going to be a pretty match. I’m looking forward to it.”