Wimbledon 2026: Arthur Fery vs Grigor Dimitrov fourth round preview
• 3 minute read
Arthur Fery is set to take on former semi-finalist and fellow wild card Grigor Dimitrov in a highly anticipated fourth round clash at Wimbledon.
It's just the fourth time that two wild cards have made it to the round of 16 at a Grand Slam, and the first time since Roland Garros in 2002.
Monday's fourth round meeting will mark a career-first between Fery and Dimitrov who will both be gunning to punch their tickets to the quarter-finals.
Fery, who grew up around the corner from the All England Club, is on a dream run at The Championships - making it to the second week of a major for the first time in his young career.
The Brit came through a marathon third round match on Court 18 - coming back from 4-1 down against Lexus Eastbourne Open champion Zizou Bergs in the final two sets to win in a tie-break in four hours and 40 minutes.
He’s made a habit of pulling off comeback victories at SW19, having dropped the opening set in all three of the matches he's contested this week.
Dimitrov also faced a lengthy third round battle, seeing off former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini in five sets under the lights on Centre Court.
After letting a two-set lead slip, the former world No.3 found a way through the decider, holding on to an early lead before securing the win on his second match point.
The Bulgarian had already impressed earlier in the tournament, upsetting 15th seed Jakub Mensik in four sets in the second round during his 16th Wimbledon appearance.
Here are their results so far:
| Arthur Fery | Grigor Dimitrov | |
| First round | beat Damir Dzumhur (BOS) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 | beat Dane Sweeny (AUS) 7-6(4), 6-3, 7-5 |
| Second round | beat Otto Virtanen (FIN) 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-3 | beat Dane Sweeny (AUS) 7-6(4), 6-3, 7-5 |
| Third round | beat Zizou Bergs (BEL) 2-6, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(5) | beat Dane Sweeny (AUS) 7-6(4), 6-3, 7-5 |
Dimitrov endured heartbreak at Wimbledon last year when a pectoral injury forced him to retire from his fourth-round clash against world No.1 Jannik Sinner.
The Bulgarian had been producing some of his best tennis, leading by two sets before injury cut short his hopes of upsetting the eventual champion.
Back at SW19 this year with a wild card, the world No.147 has a chance to put those memories behind him as he bids to reach the quarter-finals for only the second time.
Dimitrov enjoyed his best Wimbledon run in 2014, when he ended Andy Murray's title defence to reach the semi-finals, before bowing out to Novak Djokovic, who went on to lift his second men's singles trophy.
With semi-final appearances at three Grand Slams, Dimitrov is still chasing his first major final and will be hoping to keep his impressive run going at The Championships.
The Bulgarian is under no illusions that he’ll face a tough job against the Brit and the home crowd on Centre Court, who won’t be shy in showing their allegiances.
“It’s not going to be an easy match”, Dimitrov said in his post-match press conference. I have seen him play, he's a great competitor. He's playing at home.
“I mean, second week, Wimbledon, big court. I'm sure we are both going to be ready for that match.”
Meanwhile, Fery has put his name on the map this grass court season, but his success on the surface is the accumulation of the work he’s been doing throughout the season.
The Brit kicked off his year with the biggest win of his career at the Australian Open, coming through qualifying before defeating 20th seed Flavio Cobolli in the first round in Melbourne. He backed up that run by also qualifying for the Miami Open main draw where he made his Masters 1000 debut.
He reached his first ATP 500 quarter-final at the HSBC Championships earlier this summer and will be looking to continue his success in front of the British crowds.
It will be the first meeting between Fery and Dimitrov when they face off in the fourth round tomorrow. Fery's slick movement and athleticism could test the Bulgarian, who will look to use his trademark backhand slice and draw on more than a decade of experience at the top of the game.
How to watch Arthur Fery vs Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round at Wimbledon
Arthur Fery will take on Grigor Dimitrov in the men’s singles fourth round at Wimbledon on Monday 6 June.
You can watch the match live across the BBC and on the BBC iPlayer.
