Sinner Advances After Dimitrov Retires Injured

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Top seed Jannik Sinner booked a place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Monday under the most bittersweet circumstances, as Grigor Dimitrov was forced to retire while leading by two sets.

In one of the tournament’s most dramatic moments so far, Dimitrov had looked in command — playing fluent, high-risk tennis and leading 6–3, 7–5, 2–2 — when he slipped awkwardly after landing a big ace. After a brief medical assessment on court, the Bulgarian tearfully called time on the match, ending a promising run with another injury setback at a major.

“It’s really tough to see,” Sinner said on court, standing beside a dejected Dimitrov. “He’s an incredible player and a great friend. If there was any chance he could keep playing, he would have. He didn’t deserve this.”

Sinner had been struggling himself, playing much of the match with visible discomfort in his serving arm. The Italian later confirmed that he fell awkwardly early in the first set and had felt pain in his right elbow throughout.

“It didn’t look like a serious fall in the videos, but I felt it — especially when serving and on the forehand,” he said. “I’ll have an MRI tomorrow and we’ll see where we stand. We’ll adjust based on the results.”

Despite trailing by two sets, Sinner was showing signs of growing into the match before Dimitrov’s fall ended things prematurely. The world No. 1 moves into the last eight, where he’ll meet American Ben Shelton.

Shelton, Cobolli Make History

Shelton advanced to his first Wimbledon quarter-final with a four-set win over Lorenzo Sonego — 3–6, 6–1, 7–6(1), 7–5 — showing off his booming serve and athleticism.

Joining him in a surprise breakthrough was fellow 22-year-old Flavio Cobolli, who defeated 2014 US Open champion Marin Čilić 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(4), 7–6(3) to reach the last eight of a Slam for the first time.

Djokovic Battles Back

Novak Djokovic recovered from a sluggish start to defeat Australia’s Alex de Minaur 1–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 and move into his 16th Wimbledon quarter-final. The Serb, chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, dropped the opening set in just 31 minutes before turning things around with his trademark resilience.

Watching from the Royal Box was none other than Roger Federer — the eight-time champion whose Wimbledon record Djokovic is trying to equal.

“We just shared a quick greeting,” Djokovic said. “He congratulated me. Always special to see him — it was a relief to win in front of him too.”

Swiatek, Andreeva, Bencic Cruise

Top seed Iga Swiatek showed growing comfort on grass with a 6–4, 6–1 win over Clara Tauson, setting up a quarter-final clash with Liudmila Samsonova, who beat Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 7–5, 7–5.

17-year-old Mirra Andreeva continued her Centre Court dream run, dispatching American Emma Navarro 6–2, 6–3 in front of her idol Federer to book a showdown with Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.

For Bencic, her 7–6(4), 6–4 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova marked a career milestone — her first Wimbledon quarter-final, 15 months after giving birth to her daughter.

“I’m surprised how quickly the results have come,” she admitted. “But I’m feeling great on court again.”

Sinner, bruised but through. Djokovic, still hunting history. And a new wave of young talent crashing into the last eight. Wimbledon 2025 is heating up.