Sinner advances, but heartbreak for Dimitrov in Wimbledon quarter-final clash

LONDON: Top seed Jannik Sinner reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Monday under somber circumstances, as Grigor Dimitrov was forced to retire with a pectoral injury despite being in control for much of their fourth-round match.

Dimitrov, the 19th seed, dazzled Centre Court with his elegant shot-making and early dominance, winning the first two sets 6-3, 7-5 and holding serve in the third with an ace. But disaster struck at 2-2 in the third set when the Bulgarian clutched his chest and collapsed, visibly in pain, crying out: “my pec, my pec.”

A concerned Sinner immediately crossed the net to check on his opponent. Dimitrov, visibly emotional, received treatment before conceding the match and walking off to a standing ovation from the sympathetic Wimbledon crowd.

“I don’t take this as a win at all,” Sinner said. “He’s been so unlucky in the past few years. Grigor is not only an incredible player, but a good friend. This was just an unfortunate moment for everyone.”

Sinner, who had not dropped serve in 36 games entering the contest, was broken in his very first service game and had no answers to Dimitrov’s inspired play until the injury.

The Italian now moves into the last eight, but his thoughts remained with his fallen friend, wishing him a speedy recovery in what was a bitterly unfortunate end to a high-quality showdown.