An emotional Grigor Dimitrov said he wants to rewrite his Wimbledon story after reaching the fourth round with a thrilling five-set victory over Matteo Berrettini.

Twelve months ago, Dimitrov left Centre Court in tears after his hopes of pulling off a major upset against world number one Jannik Sinner came crashing down.

Dimitrov led Sinner by two sets but had to retire after sustaining an injury to his right pectoral.

The Bulgarian has been left wondering what could have been since that heartbreaking night, but is on a mission to banish those ghosts.

“After the way I exited last year, I’ll never know what would’ve happened,” Dimitrov said. “But guess what? This year I’m back here and I’m able to rewrite everything again.

“I’m just trying to be completely honest here and vulnerable with you guys. it’s not about the winning – it’s just for me to overcome every obstacle that I have in front of me.”

The story Dimitrov is currently writing at the All England Club is a compelling one.

He looked to be on course for a routine straight-set victory over Berrettini after taking the first two sets, but was pegged back and had to come through a decider 6-3 6-4 3-6 5-7 6-3.

“I enjoyed it too much – that’s why I wanted to play five sets,” the 35-year-old joked.

“It’s truly amazing to be back here. I’m just so happy.

“I just wanted to come and compete again and again again, as much as I could – there’s something special in the air out here so thank you.”

Dimitrov’s reward for overcoming a resurgent Berrettini is a date with the last remaining British hope Arthur Fery in the last 16.

It is just the sixth time that Dimitrov has reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in 16 campaigns. He has gone beyond that stage only once – making it to the semi-finals in 2014.

French Open champion Alexander Zverev continued building momentum and kept alive his hopes of winning a second Grand Slam title at the expense of American Marcos Giron.

The German made reasonably swift work of his third-round tie to win 6-2 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 on Court One.

Zverev, who lost his first three major finals, is aiming to profit in the absence of two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz.

He was beaten in the first round last year and has never been beyond the fourth round at SW19 in nine previous attempts.

“I feel different than last year – I feel I play better tennis in important moments and have more confidence,” Zverev said.

“I want to keep going, play a lot more great matches, and enjoy my time here on court.

“Winning in Paris, coming in with a title like that helps everybody. It doesn’t matter how many titles you’ve won. For me it was my first one.”

Zverev’s hopes of going the distance have been boosted by the fact that he cannot face either defending champion Jannik Sinner or seventh seed Novak Djokovic before the final.

Next up for the world number three is Czech 13th seed Jiri Lehecka, who came through against Spain’s Jaume Munar in four sets.

Earlier, fifth seed Alex de Minaur dropped his first set of the tournament but came through against American Zachary Svajda 6-2 5-7 6-2 6-4.

Australia’s De Minaur will face a fourth-round match against Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, seeded ninth, who earned a dramatic five-set win over Russia’s Karen Khachanov.

Cobolli, who lost in last month’s French Open final, was bagelled in the opening set but recovered to win 0-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-2 on court two.

American sixth seed Taylor Fritz, who reached the semi-finals last year, also came from a set down to beat Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-5).

Kazakhstan’s 10th seed Alexander Bublik is next up for Fritz in round four after he beat American Frances Tiafoe 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (13-11) 4-6 6-3.