Arthur Fery overcome after gaining place in Wimbledon quarter-finals

The 23-year-old entered the tournament ranked 114, with only two grand slam victories to his name and never having won a five-set match.

Now he has won two in a row, both from seemingly hopeless positions, after beating former semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov 7-5 3-6 4-6 6-4 7-6 (10/7).

Having trailed Zizou Bergs 4-1 in both the fourth and fifth sets on Saturday, Fery was twice a break down in the fourth here but roused himself magnificently to set up a clash with ninth seed Flavio Cobolli, who he beat at the Australian Open.

Fery’s success came around 16 hours after 10-man England claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico to reach the last eight at the World Cup.

“I was glad to wake up to good news,” he said. “I think they showed great fighting spirit. Difficult conditions playing an away match and playing in hostile conditions.

“It’s good to see British sport doing well on a global level. What I experienced today personally, I’m really going to cherish it for the rest of my life.

“Who knows, maybe I will never, ever get to experience that again? It’s the first time I’m playing on this stage. I’m just trying to really soak it all in and keep the memories.”

When Dimitrov’s final backhand hit the net after three hours and 55 minutes, Fery, who grew up minutes from the All England Club, looked to his family and team in the stands in disbelief, mouthing “What the f***?”

He said of the moment: “It was awesome. I had so many friends, so much family there as well as all my team and people that I really trust in and enjoy spending time with.

“These matches are such roller coasters. I’m always looking up. They’re communicating to me. We’re all in the match together.

“When I get over the line, and it’s the first time I’m on Centre Court, first time I’m trying to qualify for a quarter-final in a slam, it’s great to share those moments with them.”

Another interested spectator was sat in the front row of the Royal Box, with Fery aware of the gaze of eight-time champion Roger Federer.

“When I switched the TV on in the changing rooms for the first match, I saw Roger was in the Royal Box,” said Fery.

“I didn’t know he was coming, I sent a message to my team saying, ‘Yeah, look, Roger’s in the box, I’m pretty tight’.

“It’s incredible to be in that position where one of the greatest of all time is watching you, let alone watching me play a five-set match against Dimitrov on Centre Court at Wimbledon.”

This was the first time in grand slam history that two wild cards had met so late in a tournament, with Dimitrov having slumped to 146 in the rankings after the cruel injury at the same stage here last year that robbed him of a likely victory over eventual champion Jannik Sinner.

Fery, who avoided any problems with the nosebleeds that have affected his other matches, may have feared the worst when he failed to win a point in Dimitrov’s first four service games.

But a superb returning game at 5-5 helped him win the first set before a dip in level at the end of the second and beginning of the third sets allowed Dimitrov to take control.

The Bulgarian then led 2-1 and 4-3 with breaks in the fourth set but nerves appeared to play a part as Fery hit back both times, sending the match into a decider with a brilliant backhand pass and a leaping, fist-pumping celebration to match.

Tension and excitement levels rose through the final set before Fery, by the narrowest of margins, seized his moment.

“He’s a great fighter,” said Dimitrov. “He fought throughout the whole match. He grabbed the match, for sure.”

The 35-year-old was at least able to walk off court healthy this time, and he added: “Leaving the court with a loss again, it’s not so happy.

“But I’m going to choose to see it as a happy moment. Every match that I’ve played so far has been filled with so many emotions.”