As day four of Wimbledon wraps up, top contenders like Alexander Zverev, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and others have successfully progressed. Among these, Grigor Dimitrov’s heartfelt victory over Jakub Mensik stands out, marking a significant highlight in his tournament journey. Unfortunately, three of the four British players were eliminated, leaving Arthur Fery as the sole survivor.
Dimitrov’s triumph is particularly gratifying, considering his previous misfortune against Jannik Sinner last year. This year, he has taken down one of the most formidable young players in the tournament, having received a wildcard to participate. Notably, this victory also marks his first win against a top-20 player since 2024, achieved through his adeptness in critical moments; Mensik converted only two out of 15 break points, while Dimitrov capitalized on three out of nine.
Reflecting on the match’s circumstances, Dimitrov shared, “Of course I was hoping I was going to finish the match before the roof closed, it was almost identical to last year, but all you can do is smile. Today was about embracing what comes next.” He conveyed his excitement for the upcoming clash with Matteo Berrettini, stating, “If nothing else, it’s going to be a pretty match,”
After the match, Mensik embraced Dimitrov warmly before departing the court, clearly a rising talent with a bright future at Wimbledon. Dimitrov then expressed to the crowd that he felt a deeper emotional connection this time compared to his first-round win. “I’m looking forward to it, but right now I’m going to rest. I’m going to enjoy and cherish this moment.” he remarked, taking a moment to compose himself. “I’m so happy to be back. I’m very overwhelmed,”
The audience erupted with cheers as Dimitrov prepared to serve for advancement into the third round against Berrettini. He quickly established a 15-0 lead that grew to 30-15, but a sliced backhand into the net momentarily disrupted his momentum. Slipping on the baseline while attempting to respond to Mensik’s powerful return, the match reached a break point at 30-40. Yet, Mensik faltered, hitting into the net twice. Dimitrov seized his first match point, concluding the match with a breathtaking forehand winner, exulting as he shouted towards the roof, which he preferred to remain open. His comeback from a torn pectoral muscle sustained at last year’s Wimbledon was validated in this victorious moment.
Throughout the match, Mensik struggled to find his rhythm. Dimitrov displayed remarkable agility, reminiscent of a player half his age, executing splits before delivering an unreturned volley. He managed to penetrate Mensik’s defenses, even as the Czech player recorded his 30th ace of the evening. Despite Mensik’s powerful serving, Dimitrov earned another break point, skillfully slicing a shot that left Mensik unable to react, which positioned Dimitrov to serve for the match at 5-3 in the fourth set.
The ninth seed, fresh off a warm-up tournament victory in Berlin, is set to make a significant impact here, benefiting from the combination of Czech talent and the grass surface.
While Mensik is known for his powerful serve, he struggled in the sixth game, allowing Dimitrov to create a break-back opportunity with a stunning one-handed backhand winner down the line. Dimitrov’s momentum swung in his favor as he broke again, leveling the match at 3-3, a crucial turning point given the age difference between the players.
Dimitrov appeared to regain his focus, holding serve to 30 and applying pressure on Mensik at 30-all. However, frustration set in when he missed a second-serve return, eventually hitting into the net when he had the point within his grasp. The score stood at Mensik 6-7, 6-4, 5-7, 3-1 in favor of Dimitrov.
Upon resuming play on No 1 Court, Dimitrov’s mood soured as he dropped serve immediately, allowing Mensik to consolidate the break for a 2-0 lead.
Meanwhile, the crowd’s attention shifted to Tiafoe, who received applause as he spoke on court following his match. “It was a great match today, all I wanted to do was come out and fight, I didn’t think about winning and losing. The atmosphere was spectacular as always, I feel so loved and supported, thank you for embracing me.” he expressed. “I didn’t want to play for another day in a row, I wanted to get this done before it got too dark,”
Choinski, whose parents are both professional ballet dancers, found it challenging to keep pace with Tiafoe, who quickly surged to 15-0, then 30-0, and finally 40-0 before facing match points. Choinski attempted a bold forehand down the line but ultimately faltered. The British No 2 was eliminated after falling short in the fourth set, while Tiafoe advanced to the third round at the only major where he has yet to reach the quarter-finals. He is set to face Bublik next.
As the roof closed on No 1 Court, Dimitrov’s frustration was palpable. The last time the Centre Court roof closed during his match, he was close to defeating the eventual champion Jannik Sinner, after which he suffered an injury. This scenario likely brought back unwelcome memories for the Bulgarian, who found himself in a heated exchange with the umpire as he awaited a brief break in play, hoping it would not disrupt his momentum or cause stiffness.
With two set points against Mensik at 15-40, Dimitrov found himself in a pivotal position. Securing either would hand him a vital two sets to one lead, especially considering the age gap. Mensik then double-faulted, granting Dimitrov the opportunity he desperately needed. One fan noted, “A good performance from him. The Brit didn’t win today but I’m happy I did. It was a great atmosphere, thanks for staying, it got a little cold there [this is hot for London, Frances!], there’s nothing like Wimbledon. I get another chance to do it in a couple of days.”
Elsewhere, the enigmatic Alexander Bublik, seeded tenth, dispatched French qualifier Kyrian Jacquet in straight sets. Though the number of underarm serves and drop shots he employed remains unclear, it surely exceeded expectations. Bublik will next face either Tiafoe or Choinski.
As Mensik served to remain in the match at 4-5, he appeared to falter at 15-30. Sporting a backward cap, he seemed momentarily confused by Dimitrov’s similar appearance. Nevertheless, he regained his composure, winning the next three points to level the score at 6-7, 6-4, 5-5 against Dimitrov.
Tiafoe was energizing the crowd on No 2 Court, breaking Choinski at the start of the fourth set, showcasing his determination. With his confidence soaring, he quickly extended his lead to 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, 2-0.
In a decisive third set, Tiafoe broke Choinski again for 6-5, celebrating with the crowd as excitement filled the air. He followed up with two aces to secure the set as Choinski’s forehand struggled. The task ahead seemed daunting for the Brit against a well-prepared 17th seed who recently clinched the Halle title.
Meanwhile, Jasmine Paolini beamed with joy after securing a straight-sets victory over Swiss player Viktorija Golubic. Paolini, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, has not advanced beyond the fourth round of a major since her remarkable season two years ago, yet she remains a crowd favorite, stopping for photos as she exited the court. Her next challenge will be against Maria Sakkari.
Rybakina is set to face Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the third round. Should she reach at least the quarter-finals, she will have the opportunity to dethrone Aryna Sabalenka as the world No. 1. “Dimitrov’s run at Wimbledon is incredibly uplifting considering he hadn’t got two wins in a row all year until Mallorca last week. Dimitrov’s forehand is a hammer as always, and his knifed slice backhand is especially deadly against Mensik, whose forehand has a tendency to break down under pressure.” Rybakina commented on court. “I’m trying not to think about it,”
The action soon shifted to Centre Court as Rybakina served for the match against McNally, leading 6-1, 5-2. Rybakina, the 2022 champion and Australian Open winner, has never lost before the third round at Wimbledon, and her impressive record remained intact. After a brief challenge from McNally, Rybakina quickly regained control, claiming match point and securing victory in just 70 minutes.
Thanks, Daniel, for your stellar contributions. Now, let’s review some match reports:
That’s my day wrapped up; Katy will guide you through to the end of the event.
Mensik gained an advantage in the next rally. Dimitrov, perhaps deciding to change his approach or losing patience, hit a forehand long, leveling the score at one set all. Can Wa Griggzy regain momentum?
Indeed he can, punishing a backhand return down the line and celebrating with a mix of relief and joy. He realized he needed space to counter Dimitrov’s body serve under pressure and served for a 5-4 lead in the second set.
Rybakina broke McNally on her first attempt in the second set and consolidated her lead to 6-1, 2-1. Meanwhile, Noskova secured the first set against Osorio 6-3. Back on No 1, Mensik faced an 11th break point at 6-7, 4-4; could he finally convert?
Noskova, a recent top-10 entrant and former Roland Garros junior champion, dominated against Osorio, leading 5-2. Meanwhile, Mensik executed a beautiful backhand winner down the line to earn another break point at 3-3 in the second set. However, Dimitrov countered, holding serve to lead 7-6, 4-3, enjoying the challenge more than his gameplay.
On No 1, the players were on serve in the second set, with Dimitrov leading Mensik 7-6, 3-2. Tiafoe wrapped up a 6-2 set to level with Choinski, suggesting that skill has now eclipsed form. The Brit began strongly but may have overextended himself.
Rybakina maintained her dominance over McNally, winning the first set 6-1, while Tiafoe demonstrated his resurgence, leading 4-2 in the second after Choinski had initially claimed the first. He swiftly secured a double break, illustrating the difference between elite competitors and others: while anyone can perform well occasionally, the best consistently maintain high levels of performance.
Commentators speculated whether this might be Dimitrov’s final Wimbledon appearance at age 35. While he still possesses much to offer, it remains uncertain if his body can withstand the rigors, especially given his recent need for a wildcard to enter the tournament. However, a victory here could significantly boost his rankings.
Both players were tied at five games each in the first set, while Bublik led Jacquet 6-3, 1-4; Mertens was ahead of Timofeeva 3-0 in the third; Lehecka led Molcan 2-0, 2-1 with a break; Cirstea led Birrell 6-3, 2-1 with a break; Noskova was leading against Osorio 2-1; Tiafoe led Choinski 3-2 in the second after losing the first; Dimitrov held a slight edge over Mensik at 7-6, 2-1; and Rybakina led McNally 4-1.
What a remarkable victory for Sakkari, who managed to overcome a bagel and, as we last checked, needed a break to remain in the match. Her upcoming challenge will be against either Paolini or Golubic.
Cobolli displayed his charisma, tossing a towel into the crowd and signaling that it was time to wrap up. His competitive spirit is palpable on screen, and while winning a major may be a stretch, his journey is undeniably captivating.
Let’s see what Cobolli had to say. He expressed gratitude for his father’s presence and acknowledged the tough match against a skilled opponent.
Today marked his trainer’s 10th anniversary, and he congratulated him, mentioning that he was on time for dinner.
Duckworth’s flat shots pose a challenge on grass, making him hard to break. While he felt he didn’t perform well, he was pleased to win, noting the windy conditions added difficulty. He looks forward to his next round.
Unsurprisingly, Choinski, having experienced a mental toll, was broken in the first game of the second set but managed to reach deuce on Tiafoe’s serve.
Dimitrov reached 6-5, engaging in a back-and-forth exchange until he found a way to dominate, blocking the return, slicing effectively, and pushing Mensik beyond the baseline. An error from Mensik marked a pivotal moment, and Dimitrov prevailed in the first set despite Mensik’s seven missed break points.
Mensik reached 4-2 in the tiebreak, scoring an ace before miscalculating his positioning on the next point, allowing the score to even at 4-4.
Next on Centre: Caty McNally vs. Elena Rybakina (2).
Returning to Berrettini, he reflected on his career, sharing that despite facing challenges, he is back and smiling on the court, which he considers a privilege.
Choinski forced another opportunity to secure the set, and this time, he succeeded on the sixth attempt, bringing relief and joy. He aimed to take down the 17th seed, who had struggled throughout the match.
After Tiafoe’s double fault on game point, Choinski gained another advantage, but he failed to capitalize, going long. With ten missed break opportunities, he could not afford this at the elite level. However, Tiafoe regained the lead, executing a good rally to reach deuce as the game extended past ten minutes. On No 1, Dimitrov served to force a first-set tiebreaker, but Mensik had been the stronger competitor thus far.
