Former finalist Matteo Berrettini books a spot in the third round of Wimbledon 2026 after beating Arthur Fils in four sets on Centre Court

Matteo Berrettini gave a cameo of his grass-court class with a high-quality four-set triumph over 20th seed Arthur Fils.

The 2021 finalist remains a tough proposition when he’s fit and firing and his serve and plus-one forehand did plenty of the damage as he saw off the Frenchman by a 6-4 7-5 3-6 6-3 scoreline in two hours and 51 minutes.

"I'm so happy, yeah, first round was tough for many reasons, but it was such a nice moment, you know, playing against a legend like Stan (Wawrinka), four sets like that on Court No.1.

"It was a match I will definitely remember for the rest of my life, but I also think this one is pretty special, you know, (on) Centre Court.

"It's been a while since I played here. I'm proud of myself, proud of my team and thanks for the support you guys (the crowd), you've been unbelievable."

It was the world number 51 who had the edge in the first two sets, snaring solitary breaks in games seven and 11 respectively to take charge of the proceedings.

Fils broke early in the third to race into a 4-1 lead before holding his nerve to serve out and reduce the arrears.

Berrettini returned from a lengthy spell off court between sets and refocused to consolidate a break and seize control at 4-1.

Fils tried hard to engage the crowd as he gave it one last push, but the 30-year-old Italian stood firm to volley a winner on his third match point and set up a third-round clash with Jakub Mensik or Grigor Dimitrov.

GAME, SET AND MATCH! – BERRETTINI 6-4 7-5 3-6 6-3 FILS

Berrettini’s nerves show as he double faults to leave himself with a lot to do at 0-30.

The Italian leans all over that big first serve to work his way to a second match point, but Fils survives when the world number 51 miscues a mid-court forehand into the net.

The former finalist earns his third match point with a service winner and gets the job done with a wonderful volley to the corner.

Berrettini unloads a barrage of hefty forehands to force the error long and force match point from Pulp.

Fils responds with a clinical 1-2 punch off the short ball and two more clutch serves ensure he prolongs the match that bit longer.

Matteo will now serve for a spot in R3.

Fils tries to get into Matteo’s head as he slides into a dropper to glide a delicious, acute-angled re-drop to the opposite flank.

The Frenchman celebrates wildly and calls for more noise and he’s at it again seconds later as he presses to 15-30 with a ferocious crosscourt backhand.

The 20th seed sees a crosscourt forehand clip the tape and fly wide to miss out on two break points and Berrettini is relieved to see the youngster drag a poor backhand into the net to hand him game point.

The Italian slaps down a clutch serve to avoid any more concern and is now just one game from victory.

Fils keeps Matteo at arm’s length with a solid enough game to 30 to remain in the hunt.

Two more holds would do it for Matteo, but that’s easier said than done, of course.

Relive the pick of the action from Wednesday in SW19.

Matteo unloads on a ferocious crosscourt plus-one forehand and doesn’t look back from there as that powerhouse first serve lands and carries him through to consolidate with a clean hold.

Fils leaves himself with too much to do and ends up blinking first early in the fourth as Berrettini breaks on the second of two BPs.

The 20th seed had worked hard to get himself back into this, but now has a bit of a mountain to climb.

Berrettini could easily be tight at 15-30 down but he shows incredible composure to deploy a sublime drop shot before a rocket of a 16th ace puts him in charge.

The world number 51 races into his left corner to unload on an inside-out forehand, but he blasts it long and has to reset at deuce.

The trademark one-two punch reasserts his authority and a clutch first serve nudges him out of dodge.

Fils doesn’t have it all his own way either and the 20th seed also needs to grit out the hold from deuce.

Both players clearly recognise how key the early stages of this fourth set could be to the outcome.

Fils is visibly frustrated by the length of time Berrettini takes off court between sets.

The Frenchman is keen to build upon his momentum and gets a look-in when Matteo double faults at 40-15.

The 20th seed has a couple of half chances at deuce as he drills a forehand attempt up the line into the net and then misses a forehand way long to miss out.

Berrettini hangs tough in the ensuing rally and a wide backhand allows him to escape with a dogged hold.

There’s no late twist as Fils serves out to 15 on his second set point to resuscitate his hopes of turning this match around.

Matteo makes short work a love hold to pose the serve-out question.

‘Allez,’ bellows Arthur as he lures a chipped forehand long from the Italian on a key point at Pulp.

The Frenchman follows up with a stonking 1-2 forehand punch and the resilient hold means he is just one game away from reducing the arrears.

Matteo hits clutch mode on serve to fend off two break points and remain in the hunt from deuce.

Fils was so close to the insurance there but remains the player with the obvious momentum in this third set.

The Spaniard had reached the last three Wimbledon finals, winning the title in 2023 and 2024 before losing to Jannik Sinner last year.

The 23-year-old has missed a huge chunk of the 2026 season with a wrist problem, so what has he been up to during his time off tour?

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Berrettini makes life difficult for Fils on the return and the Frenchman loses patience after blowing game point with a loose forehand that offers up break back point.

The 20th seed resets with extra zip and control on a crosscourt forehand to stave it off and he finds the first serve to dictate from there, eventually consolidating via the scenic route.

Plot twist!

Fils has his interest piqued when Berrettini double faults to offer an opening at Pulp.

The Italian then blinks with a low forehand into the net before surrendering his serve surprisingly meekly with an error on a make-able volley.

Fils pushes past the 20-mark with a trio of winners as he maintains the early pace with a hold to 30.

It’s a blink and you’ll miss it love hold from the Italian as a pair of aces ensure his latest service game passes by in a blur.