Arthur Fery sails into Wimbledon quarter-finals in Magic Monday | Tennis | Sport

Arthur Fery pulled off another epic escape to keep British hopes afloat at Wimbledon. The world No.114 twice trailed by a break in the fourth set but mounted a sensational comeback to beat seasoned tour veteran Grigor Dimitrov 7-5 3-6 4-6 6-4 7-6 in a battle of the wildcards.

Making his Centre Court debut after England beat Mexico in the early hours of the morning, the local lad confirmed his status as Britain’s new superstar as he won a second successive 10-point breaker to reach a maiden Grand Slam quarter-final. Fery, who celebrates his 24th birthday on Sunday’s finals day, put his hands on his hips in disbelief and stepped into the middle of the court to show his appreciation for the home crowd.

The British No.3’s first Centre Court memory was watching Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer in a deciding set in the 2014 final.

And 12 years on, it was the retired Swiss star who sat in the Royal Box to watch Fery win in five.

The last Brit standing said: “It’s incredibly tough to put words to what I’ve just felt on a tennis court in front of all you guys. The support was phenomenal.

“First time on this court, five sets against an absolute legend of the game.

“I grew up five minutes from here. I grew up coming to watch matches on this court.

“We’ve got probably the greatest of all time watching in the front row.

“I saw him. And now playing here in front of all you guys, having the support and winning. It’s unbelievable.

“I’m playing really well with my back against the wall and again it paid off today.

“A week ago, I would have been happy to win a few matches here and now winning four matches, being in the quarters, it’s a dream of mine.”

Before the match, eight-time former champion Federer told British Vogue that Dimitrov was the favourite.

But he was proven wrong as the last Brit standing won his second consecutive five-setter.

Dimitrov looked to be on his way to victory when he went two sets to one up and twice led Fery by a break in the fourth.

But the world No.114 came roaring back and forced a decider with a stunning backhand winner, pumping his fist into the air as Centre Court erupted.

There was nothing separating them in the sink-or-swim fifth set as both men painted the lines and took risks.

Serving at 6-7 in the 10-point tiebreak, Dimitrov just let a forehand sail wide, giving Fery a crucial advantage.

On his first match point, the Brit missed his first serve, but his second was too big for Dimitrov to return, and the Bulgarian sent the ball into the net.

Fery, 23, had already guaranteed his top 100 debut, and he’s now bagged at least £480,000 in prize money.

It’s a heartbreaking defeat for Dimitrov, who came within one set of the quarter-finals for a second year running.

The Bulgarian, 35, was forced to retire at the exact same stage of the Championships 52 weeks ago when he injured his pectoral muscle while leading world No.1 and eventual champion Jannik Sinner by two sets to love.

The former world No.3 received a standing ovation as he departed Centre Court, still not the victor, but surely with happier memories.