Jannik Sinner gets reprieve as Grigor Dimitrov forced to retire when two sets up
Sinner rushed around the net to check on his opponent as he sat, in some distress, on the court.
Jannik Sinner and physios check on Grigor Dimitrov (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
The 19th seed was helped to his feet by two physios and went off to receive treatment, before returning a few minutes later to shake Sinner's hand.
It was more dreadful luck for a popular player, who had to retire injured from matches in the last four grand slams, including against Daniil Medvedev here at the same stage last year.
Sinner, who helped Dimitrov pack his rackets away and carried his bag off court, said: 'I don't know what to say. He is an incredible player, I think we all saw this today.
'He's been so unlucky in the past couple of years. An incredible player, a good friend also. Seeing him in this position, if there would be a chance he could play the next round he would deserve it.
A sight we never want to see.
Grigor Dimitrov is forced to retire while leading two sets to love. Everyone at #Wimbledon is wishing you a speedy recovery, Grigor 💚💜 pic.twitter.com/qBwiMbq3e2
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2025
'I hope he has a speedy recovery. I don't take this as a win at all. This is just a very unfortunate moment to witness for all of us.
'In the last grand slams he struggled a lot. Seeing him again having this kind of injury is very, very tough. It's very sad. We all wish him only the best, let's have applause for him.'
It was a major reprieve for Sinner, the three-time grand slam winner who looked set to be on the end of a seismic shock in front of a stunned Centre Court.
Grigor Dimitrov waves to the crowd after retiring through injury (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
The Italian had slipped on the baseline in the opening game and took a medical timeout midway through the second set for treatment on his right wrist and elbow.
But the physio was unable to alleviate the real pain for Sinner, which was Dimitrov serving up a grass-court clinic on a surface the 23-year-old has yet to get to grips with.
However, after two hours and eight minutes of vintage Dimitrov, his body let him down again, so it is the top seed who will face American Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
16 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Wimbledon briefing: Day 10 recap and order of play for women's semi-finals
The women's semi-finals take place on Thursday with Aryna Sabalenka taking on Amanda Anisimova and Swiatek battling Belinda Bencic. Here, the PA news agency looks back at Wednesday's action and previews day 11 of the Championships. Novak Djokovic reached a men's record 14th Wimbledon semi-final by overcoming the spirited challenge of Flavio Cobolli 6-7 (6) 6-2 7-5 6-4. He will next face world number one Jannik Sinner, who shrugged off any concerns about his injured elbow as he dismantled Ben Shelton in straight sets. Carlos Alcaraz is the only player to beat Djokovic at Wimbledon since 2017 but, while Sinner has lost both their previous meetings at the All England Club, the Italian has already knocked the 24-time grand slam champion out of the Australian Open and French Open this season. Iga Swiatek smashed through her grass ceiling as she made the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time. The 24-year-old, a four-time French Open champion, swept aside Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5 on Court One to complete the set of grand slam last-four appearances. She will next face 2021 Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, who ended the teenage dreams of Mirra Andreeva to reach her first Wimbledon semi-final in her first year back in SW19 following the birth of daughter Bella in April 2024. Britain's Joe Salisbury will bid for a seventh grand slam title when he teams up with Brazilian Luisa Stefani in the mixed doubles final on Thursday. The pair, who will take on Sem Verbeek of the Netherlands and Czech Katerina Siniakova, only entered at the last minute after Salisbury's original partner, Jodie Burrage, suffered an ankle injury. Salisbury has trophies from all the other slams across men's and mixed doubles but is yet to lift silverware at Wimbledon. 'It would be amazing,' he said. 'For me it's the main one. To win Wimbledon is the biggest tournament.' Aryna Sabalenka is one win away from reaching the final of a fourth straight grand slam but her first at Wimbledon. The three-time major winner must overcome a player who holds a winning record against her in Thursday's first semi-final. Amanda Anisimova has been victorious in five of their eight meetings, but has never reached the final of a grand slam. The big-hitting duo are sure to provide plenty of thrills in the first match on Centre Court. Centre Court (from 1.30pm)Aryna Sabalenka (1) v Amanda Anisimova (13)Iga Swiatek (8) v Belinda BencicSalisbury/Stefani v Verbeek/Siniakova (mixed doubles final) Court One (from 1pm)Arevalo/Pavic (1) v Hijikata/Pel (men's doubles)Cash/Glasspool (5) v Granollers/Zeballos (4) (men's doubles)Hewett/Reid v Caverzaschi/Oda (wheelchair doubles) Sunny, with highs of 32C, according to the Met Office.
Powys County Times
16 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Wimbledon briefing: Day 10 recap and order of play for women's semi-finals
Novak Djokovic reached yet another Wimbledon semi-final while Iga Swiatek finally broke through her grass ceiling on Wednesday. The women's semi-finals take place on Thursday with Aryna Sabalenka taking on Amanda Anisimova and Swiatek battling Belinda Bencic. Here, the PA news agency looks back at Wednesday's action and previews day 11 of the Championships. Djokovic sets up Sinner clash Novak Djokovic reached a men's record 14th Wimbledon semi-final by overcoming the spirited challenge of Flavio Cobolli 6-7 (6) 6-2 7-5 6-4. He will next face world number one Jannik Sinner, who shrugged off any concerns about his injured elbow as he dismantled Ben Shelton in straight sets. Carlos Alcaraz is the only player to beat Djokovic at Wimbledon since 2017 but, while Sinner has lost both their previous meetings at the All England Club, the Italian has already knocked the 24-time grand slam champion out of the Australian Open and French Open this season. Swiatek's grass breakthrough Iga Swiatek smashed through her grass ceiling as she made the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time. The 24-year-old, a four-time French Open champion, swept aside Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5 on Court One to complete the set of grand slam last-four appearances. She will next face 2021 Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, who ended the teenage dreams of Mirra Andreeva to reach her first Wimbledon semi-final in her first year back in SW19 following the birth of daughter Bella in April 2024. Brit watch Britain's Joe Salisbury will bid for a seventh grand slam title when he teams up with Brazilian Luisa Stefani in the mixed doubles final on Thursday. The pair, who will take on Sem Verbeek of the Netherlands and Czech Katerina Siniakova, only entered at the last minute after Salisbury's original partner, Jodie Burrage, suffered an ankle injury. Salisbury has trophies from all the other slams across men's and mixed doubles but is yet to lift silverware at Wimbledon. 'It would be amazing,' he said. 'For me it's the main one. To win Wimbledon is the biggest tournament.' Match of the day Aryna Sabalenka is one win away from reaching the final of a fourth straight grand slam but her first at Wimbledon. The three-time major winner must overcome a player who holds a winning record against her in Thursday's first semi-final. Amanda Anisimova has been victorious in five of their eight meetings, but has never reached the final of a grand slam. The big-hitting duo are sure to provide plenty of thrills in the first match on Centre Court. Order of play Centre Court (from 1.30pm) Aryna Sabalenka (1) v Amanda Anisimova (13) Iga Swiatek (8) v Belinda Bencic Salisbury /Stefani v Verbeek/Siniakova (mixed doubles final) Court One (from 1pm) Arevalo/Pavic (1) v Hijikata/Pel (men's doubles) Cash/Glasspool (5) v Granollers/Zeballos (4) (men's doubles) Hewett/Reid v Caverzaschi/Oda (wheelchair doubles) Weather watch
Daily Mirror
42 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Scott McTominay shares true feelings on Man Utd as 'mistake' slammed
Scott McTominay enjoyed a dream debut season with Napoli after quitting Manchester United despite not everyone being a big fan of the midfielder's exit from Old Trafford Scott McTominay claims he wants nothing but success for Manchester United after his exit was slammed as a mistake. The Scottish midfielder was sold by the Red Devils last summer as he completed a £25m move to Italian giants Napoli. His exit brought to an end a two-decade association with the club having progressed through their academy to make over 250 first-team appearances. McTominay 's sale was thought to have been a boost to United's PSR calculations given any fee they received would have represented pure profit. Despite the circumstances of his departure, McTominay has said that he does not harbour any ill feelings towards his former club. He said: 'I always want the absolute best for Manchester United. It's been my life for 22, 23 years so for me, I wish the club all the success in the world. 'I'm with them every step of the way. I want them to do well. I'm not someone who doesn't want that.' McTominay ended up enjoying a dream debut season in Naples having played a key role in Napoli's Serie A title success. He made 36 appearances in all competitions, scoring 13 goals. While the move was certainly a success from McTominay's point of view, some were not particularly convinced that the decision to sell him was the correct one. Former United coach Benni McCarthy recently slammed his exit. He said: 'There are different reasons why you sell homegrown players sometimes. When they go, the profit lets you sign more players. Having said that, it was one of the biggest mistakes in football to let him leave. 'He was born to play for United. Maybe he wasn't the most technical, but he had fight, and I think it's what they will get back with Matheus Cunha. Was it a mistake for Man United to sell Scott McTominay? Share your thoughts in the comments below 'Scotty was a player that you look for in a dressing room to get you where you want to be. To let him go for what was a small transfer fee was a big shame. I think everyone at the club regrets that decision. 'For me, with my experience, I know what you need to deliver at a special club. People can say what they like but we tried to bring in great players that would fit. I know the manager always takes the blame, but sometimes the club needs to look at itself.' Ex-United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also a vocal critic of McTominay's sale. Speaking to the BBC, he said: "Scott and Fred together, they were lads you would put your hat on every day to give 100%. How you can sell Scott is beyond me." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
