Sinner gets reprieve after injured Dimitrov retires

Jannik Sinner progressed to the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Monday after a tearful Grigor Dimitrov pulled out injured while in total control of the match while Novak Djokovic survived a scare.

- Agencies

World number one Sinner and seven-time champion Djokovic remain on course for a mouthwatering semifinal clash but the top seed’s match on Centre Court was overshadowed by Dimitrov's heartbreak.

The Italian was staring at the exit door trailing 3-6, 5-7, 2-2 before the Bulgarian 19th seed pulled up holding his right pectoral muscle and was unable to continue.

Sinner rushed to his aid but his 34-year-old opponent was barely able to wave to acknowledge the crowd's warm ovation.

“Honestly I don't know what to say,” said Sinner. “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 of mine also. We understand each other very well off the court too.

“Seeing him in this position, honestly, if there would be a chance that he could play the next round, he would deserve it.”

The injury-prone Dimitrov has now been forced to retire in each of his past five Grand Slam appearances.

Sinner himself suffered a nasty fall in the opening game of the fourth-round clash and appeared to be suffering discomfort in his right elbow.