Matteo Berrettini finally broke his Centre Court drought on 3 July 2024, beating 20th seed Arthur Fils 6‑4, 7‑5, 3‑6, 6‑3 to claim his first Wimbledon main‑arena win since 2021.
What happened?
The Italian, a former Wimbledon runner‑up, entered the second round as a dark horse. After a four‑set win over Stan Wawrinka on Tuesday, he faced the French teenager on Court One. Berrettini served early breaks and held his nerve, sealing the match with a volley on match point.
How did the match unfold?
Berrettini opened the first set with a strong serve, breaking Fils at 3‑2 and closing it 6‑4. The second set saw both players trading holds until Berrettini earned a crucial break at 5‑5, then served out the set 7‑5. Fils rallied in the third, taking it 6‑3, but the Italian responded with a decisive break at 4‑2 in the fourth, finishing the match 6‑3.
Why is this win significant for Berrettini?
The victory ends a three‑year wait for a Centre Court triumph and restores confidence after recent losses to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner on the same grounds. "It was such a nice moment playing against a legend like Stan, Court One, and a match I will definitely remember," Berrettini said, adding that the win felt "special on Centre Court."
What does this mean for his Wimbledon run?
The win propels Berrettini into the third round, where he will likely meet a seeded opponent. His performance suggests he has the energy and focus to challenge the tournament's top players, especially as he rediscovered his serve rhythm in the fourth set.
Who else shone on day four?
Second seed Alexander Zverev celebrated his 50th tour‑level grass win, beating Valentin Royer 6‑1, 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑3). Fifth seed Alex de Minaur dominated Adrian Mannarino 6‑3, 6‑2, 6‑2, while sixth seed Taylor Fritz dispatched Patrick Kypson 6‑2, 6‑2, 7‑5, all on the same day.
Berrettini’s Centre Court success adds a fresh chapter to his Grand Slam story, offering fans a glimpse of his revived form as Wimbledon moves into its second week.