As Grigor Dimitrov battled to another significant victory on his return to Wimbledon, 12 months on from his devastating injury-enforced exit, he began to feel an ominous sense of deja vu.

Almost a year to the day that Dimitrov left Centre Court in tears after being denied the chance to complete a spectacular victory over world number one Jannik Sinner, the roof began to close on Court One.

Before a 10-minute break to close the Centre Court roof in 2025, the Bulgarian, once nicknamed ‘baby Fed’ because of the similarity of his game to the great Roger Federer, had been playing some of his best tennis in years.

As the wildcard closed in on a superb four-set victory over Czech 15th seed Jakub Mensik on Thursday, Dimitrov’s mind naturally flashed back to the night which has defined his journey since.

“I looked up four or five times, hoping that I was going to finish the match before they decided to close the roof,” Dimitrov said.

“It was almost like deja vu, but all you can do is smile. What happened in the past stays there and I have to embrace what comes next, whether it is good or bad.”

But there was to be no heartbreak this time.

Just as after his opening victory, the 35-year-old once again became emotional as he addressed the crowd which had roared him on throughout the 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 7-5 6-3 win which secured his place in the third round – and a meeting with Italy’s Matteo Berrettini.

“I’m very emotional and a little bit overwhelmed at the moment. All I wanted to do is just come out and fight, that was my goal. I didn’t even think about winning or losing, I didn’t even think about my body to that extent,” Dimitrov said.

“The atmosphere was just spectacular as always. I feel so loved and so supported everywhere in the world, but coming to Wimbledon is extra special for me and I want you guys to know that.

“The path here has been so difficult. It is all about conquering myself and playing tennis like I did today, regardless of the outcome.”

Dimitrov has spoken openly about the physical and mental challenges which followed the tear he sustained to his right pectoral muscle, which ended his chances of defeating Sinner a year ago.

The nature of the injury left him doubting if he would ever fully recover, while his initial inability to process what had happened at Wimbledon meant the enormity of it only hit him months later.

It was the fifth consecutive Grand Slam in which Dimitrov had retired from a match injured as his body continued to fail him, and he would not return to the tour until October.

Forced to miss last year’s US Open, ending the former world number three’s streak of 58 successive Grand Slam appearances, Dimitrov, who is currently ranked 146th in the world, lost in the first round of the Australian Open and then exited in the first round of qualifying for the French Open earlier this year.

He described his first-round win on his return to Wimbledon as a day in his career that he will always remember. In the aftermath of his triumph over French Open semi-finalist Mensik, it was clear that this will be another.

“Every match you win, it’s great. It’s as simple as that. I know it sounds like a bit of a cliche right now, but it’s really not about winning or losing for me. I am happy.

“This week has been the best week in the past 12 months, without a doubt.

“I was pushing myself on daily basis. Only I know what I’ve gone through in the past months.

“I just really try to stay in the moment as much as I can, embrace it, cherish it.”

Alexander Zverev said a “big result” at Wimbledon “is definitely possible this year” after he breezed into the third round with a dominant win over Valentin Royer.

After losing his first three major finals, Zverev ended his wait for a first Grand Slam title last month when he beat Flavio Cobolli to win the French Open.

The triumph has given the German second seed a boost coming into Wimbledon, where he has never gone beyond the fourth round.

“It builds confidence when you win in straight sets, especially at Wimbledon where I am still waiting for a big result,” said Zverev after his 6-1 6-3 7-6 (7-3) victory.

“If I continue playing like this, I think it is definitely possible this year.”

After Royer, ranked 75th, held serve in the opening game, Zverev won the next nine and did not offer up a break point until he was 4-3 up in the third and wobbled with a double fault.

Frenchman Royer grabbed that opportunity and forced a tie-break, but Zverev recovered to wrap up the victory in just over two hours and set up a third-round encounter with American Marcos Giron.

Earlier on Thursday, Taylor Fritz – who defeated Zverev in the final of the Halle Open last month – returned in his tailored pre-match suit before defeating fellow American Patrick Kypson 6-2 6-2 7-5.

Australian fifth seed Alex de Minaur also sailed through with a commanding 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory over French veteran Adrian Mannarino.