Matteo Berrettini rediscovers his Wimbledon rhythm and sends Fils packing

Matteo Berrettini of Italy returns the ball during the men’s singles second round match against Arthur Fils of France at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo) When Matteo Berrettini completed the serve-volley sequence with the winner on the third match point, he turned to his box and nodded. He knew he was on his way.Berrettini, who dropped out of the top 100 in May, lit up Center Court to knock out gifted Frenchman Arthur Fils, the 20th seed, 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the third round at Wimbledon.The 30-year-old Italian, a 2021 Wimbledon finalist, fought a long battle against his own body. He hammered 16 aces against the Phils and found his best when it mattered most.“I played the match at a very high level. Arthur was also very good,” said Berrettini. “I had a little break in the match in the third set and then I started to serve better in the fourth. I have so much confidence now. It’s been a while since I played so many matches at the Grand Slams, in Paris and also here. Of course I had a difficult time in my career, but I’m happy, I’m smiling, I’m back.”Earlier, French Open winner Alexander Zverev defeated Valentin Royer 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (3) in two hours and four minutes on Court No. 1.Defending champion Iga Swiatek looked every bit the player who lifted the title last year, her opening test against Taylor Townsend aside, as she cruised to a 6-1, 6-3 second-round win over 2021 finalist Karolína Plíšková of the Czech Republic.