Injury toll sours Western Bulldogs' thumping 79-point win over Richmond as Marcus Bontempelli stars
The 21.9 (135) to 8.8 (56) cakewalk on Sunday at Marvel Stadium, coupled with GWS's win over Gold Coast, put the Bulldogs back in the top eight.
Their highest score this season also brought an important percentage boost in the jostle for top-eight berths, especially as it follows last week's 72-point win over St Kilda.
But the Bulldogs' day out was soured by another calf muscle problem for All-Australian midfielder Adam Treloar, and a late hit to Lachlan McNeil, who appeared to be in pain from a shoulder complaint.
Ahead of his contract talks ramping up this week, and his 250th-game on Friday night against Sydney, Bontempelli was best afield against the Tigers.
The Bulldogs captain racked up 36 possessions — his highest for the season — and kicked three goals, after a hard tag from Marcus Windhager had restricted him to just 14 disposals last weekend against the Saints.
About the only thing Bontempelli did wrong all game was an ill-considered attempt at a high mark late in the final quarter.
In his third game since returning to the AFL, Treloar was subbed out before half time. The Bulldogs cited calf tightness.
He later cut a dejected figure on the bench in what were sad images.
Treloar has managed only four matches this season due to persistent calf troubles.
Earlier this month, coach Luke Beveridge said the 32-year-old might only be available for three or four games at a time.
Fellow Bulldogs James O'Donnell and McNeil also finished the game sore and on the bench.
The Bulldogs led from the start and kept Richmond goalless from 20 minutes in the first quarter until six minute into the third.
A seven-goal second term for the Bulldogs, when key forward Sam Darcy looked ready to kick a bag, killed off the game after the Tigers had been competitive in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs kicked the opening goal of each quarter inside the first couple of minutes, setting the scene for their easy win.
While Richmond more than doubled their tally with five goals in the final term, the Bulldogs still outscored them for the quarter.
Darcy kicked five goals and at the other end, Richmond key forward Tom Lynch led his team's scoring with three.
Veteran Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin also impressed, with 28 possessions, while midfielders Ed Richards, Tom Liberatore and Matt Kennedy shone for the Bulldogs.
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24 minutes ago
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'Not super excited': Djokovic's compliment for Demon
Alex de Minaur reckons he couldn't be more excited -- but Novak Djokovic doesn't sound quite so enthused. After Australia's No.1 de Minaur and the man considered by many to be the sport's GOAT Djokovic set up their Wimbledon last-16 date with accomplished victories on Saturday, they both conceded it should be a terrific contest. De Minaur, who beat Danish qualifier August Holmgren in straight sets, has been itching to get his chance for the Wimbledon clash against the seven-time champ that he had hoped to enjoy last year until injury struck, admitting: "It's exciting. "These are the matches you want to be playing in. You don't want to go through a draw or a grand glam and feel like everything has been handed to you. You ultimately want to be beating the best players, and that's my focus. "Novak has completed the game, right? He's broken all the records,. It's amazing for him to still be showing up and still showing that fire and desire to win more." But Djokovic doesn't sound quite so enthusiastic about coming up against the hungry Australian, paying him the ultimate compliment by suggesting: "You're not super excited to play Alex de Minaur on grass, that's for sure! "He has improved his game tremendously in the last couple years. He's playing the tennis of his life. He's definitely knocking on the door of the final stages of grand slams. "He's gotten to the quarters several times. Yeah, last year he had to pull out unfortunately because of his injury, but this year again he's there. "He's playing well. He's so quick and he's a complete player, all around, gaining pace on his serve, as well. He hits his spots very well. "It's going to be a great test to see where my game is at against a top player like Alex." It was another landmark occasion for Djokovic as he celebrated his 100th match win at Wimbledon - a 6-3 6-0 6-4 win over Miomir Kecmanovic - to join Martina Navratilova and Roger Federer as the only players to do so. "Any history I make at my favourite tournament, I'm blessed," said Djokovic. But even the great man on his landmark day couldn't keep the limelight from his seven-year-old daughter Tara, who stole the show with her victory dance. After doing his own version of the post-match victory celebration, Djokovic had been trying to explain it was the family's accompaniment to a song called "Pump It Up". "There's a song with my kids — look my daughter's doing it right now," a smiling Djokovic said as he looked into the crowd. "You want to show it, darling?" Tara then showed everyone how it's done - pump your fists down, then left, right and overhead. The crowd roared and laughed. "She's the master," said Djokovic. "It's a little tradition we have right now. Hopefully we can keep going so we can keep pumping more in Wimbledon." Alex de Minaur reckons he couldn't be more excited -- but Novak Djokovic doesn't sound quite so enthused. After Australia's No.1 de Minaur and the man considered by many to be the sport's GOAT Djokovic set up their Wimbledon last-16 date with accomplished victories on Saturday, they both conceded it should be a terrific contest. De Minaur, who beat Danish qualifier August Holmgren in straight sets, has been itching to get his chance for the Wimbledon clash against the seven-time champ that he had hoped to enjoy last year until injury struck, admitting: "It's exciting. "These are the matches you want to be playing in. You don't want to go through a draw or a grand glam and feel like everything has been handed to you. You ultimately want to be beating the best players, and that's my focus. "Novak has completed the game, right? He's broken all the records,. It's amazing for him to still be showing up and still showing that fire and desire to win more." But Djokovic doesn't sound quite so enthusiastic about coming up against the hungry Australian, paying him the ultimate compliment by suggesting: "You're not super excited to play Alex de Minaur on grass, that's for sure! "He has improved his game tremendously in the last couple years. He's playing the tennis of his life. He's definitely knocking on the door of the final stages of grand slams. "He's gotten to the quarters several times. Yeah, last year he had to pull out unfortunately because of his injury, but this year again he's there. "He's playing well. He's so quick and he's a complete player, all around, gaining pace on his serve, as well. He hits his spots very well. "It's going to be a great test to see where my game is at against a top player like Alex." It was another landmark occasion for Djokovic as he celebrated his 100th match win at Wimbledon - a 6-3 6-0 6-4 win over Miomir Kecmanovic - to join Martina Navratilova and Roger Federer as the only players to do so. "Any history I make at my favourite tournament, I'm blessed," said Djokovic. But even the great man on his landmark day couldn't keep the limelight from his seven-year-old daughter Tara, who stole the show with her victory dance. After doing his own version of the post-match victory celebration, Djokovic had been trying to explain it was the family's accompaniment to a song called "Pump It Up". "There's a song with my kids — look my daughter's doing it right now," a smiling Djokovic said as he looked into the crowd. "You want to show it, darling?" Tara then showed everyone how it's done - pump your fists down, then left, right and overhead. The crowd roared and laughed. "She's the master," said Djokovic. "It's a little tradition we have right now. Hopefully we can keep going so we can keep pumping more in Wimbledon." Alex de Minaur reckons he couldn't be more excited -- but Novak Djokovic doesn't sound quite so enthused. After Australia's No.1 de Minaur and the man considered by many to be the sport's GOAT Djokovic set up their Wimbledon last-16 date with accomplished victories on Saturday, they both conceded it should be a terrific contest. De Minaur, who beat Danish qualifier August Holmgren in straight sets, has been itching to get his chance for the Wimbledon clash against the seven-time champ that he had hoped to enjoy last year until injury struck, admitting: "It's exciting. "These are the matches you want to be playing in. You don't want to go through a draw or a grand glam and feel like everything has been handed to you. You ultimately want to be beating the best players, and that's my focus. "Novak has completed the game, right? He's broken all the records,. It's amazing for him to still be showing up and still showing that fire and desire to win more." But Djokovic doesn't sound quite so enthusiastic about coming up against the hungry Australian, paying him the ultimate compliment by suggesting: "You're not super excited to play Alex de Minaur on grass, that's for sure! "He has improved his game tremendously in the last couple years. He's playing the tennis of his life. He's definitely knocking on the door of the final stages of grand slams. "He's gotten to the quarters several times. Yeah, last year he had to pull out unfortunately because of his injury, but this year again he's there. "He's playing well. He's so quick and he's a complete player, all around, gaining pace on his serve, as well. He hits his spots very well. "It's going to be a great test to see where my game is at against a top player like Alex." It was another landmark occasion for Djokovic as he celebrated his 100th match win at Wimbledon - a 6-3 6-0 6-4 win over Miomir Kecmanovic - to join Martina Navratilova and Roger Federer as the only players to do so. "Any history I make at my favourite tournament, I'm blessed," said Djokovic. But even the great man on his landmark day couldn't keep the limelight from his seven-year-old daughter Tara, who stole the show with her victory dance. After doing his own version of the post-match victory celebration, Djokovic had been trying to explain it was the family's accompaniment to a song called "Pump It Up". "There's a song with my kids — look my daughter's doing it right now," a smiling Djokovic said as he looked into the crowd. "You want to show it, darling?" Tara then showed everyone how it's done - pump your fists down, then left, right and overhead. The crowd roared and laughed. "She's the master," said Djokovic. "It's a little tradition we have right now. Hopefully we can keep going so we can keep pumping more in Wimbledon." Alex de Minaur reckons he couldn't be more excited -- but Novak Djokovic doesn't sound quite so enthused. After Australia's No.1 de Minaur and the man considered by many to be the sport's GOAT Djokovic set up their Wimbledon last-16 date with accomplished victories on Saturday, they both conceded it should be a terrific contest. De Minaur, who beat Danish qualifier August Holmgren in straight sets, has been itching to get his chance for the Wimbledon clash against the seven-time champ that he had hoped to enjoy last year until injury struck, admitting: "It's exciting. "These are the matches you want to be playing in. You don't want to go through a draw or a grand glam and feel like everything has been handed to you. You ultimately want to be beating the best players, and that's my focus. "Novak has completed the game, right? He's broken all the records,. It's amazing for him to still be showing up and still showing that fire and desire to win more." But Djokovic doesn't sound quite so enthusiastic about coming up against the hungry Australian, paying him the ultimate compliment by suggesting: "You're not super excited to play Alex de Minaur on grass, that's for sure! "He has improved his game tremendously in the last couple years. He's playing the tennis of his life. He's definitely knocking on the door of the final stages of grand slams. "He's gotten to the quarters several times. Yeah, last year he had to pull out unfortunately because of his injury, but this year again he's there. "He's playing well. He's so quick and he's a complete player, all around, gaining pace on his serve, as well. He hits his spots very well. "It's going to be a great test to see where my game is at against a top player like Alex." It was another landmark occasion for Djokovic as he celebrated his 100th match win at Wimbledon - a 6-3 6-0 6-4 win over Miomir Kecmanovic - to join Martina Navratilova and Roger Federer as the only players to do so. "Any history I make at my favourite tournament, I'm blessed," said Djokovic. But even the great man on his landmark day couldn't keep the limelight from his seven-year-old daughter Tara, who stole the show with her victory dance. After doing his own version of the post-match victory celebration, Djokovic had been trying to explain it was the family's accompaniment to a song called "Pump It Up". "There's a song with my kids — look my daughter's doing it right now," a smiling Djokovic said as he looked into the crowd. "You want to show it, darling?" Tara then showed everyone how it's done - pump your fists down, then left, right and overhead. The crowd roared and laughed. "She's the master," said Djokovic. "It's a little tradition we have right now. Hopefully we can keep going so we can keep pumping more in Wimbledon."
The Advertiser
24 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Hull the standout Australian at Diamond League in US
Australian Jessica Hull has hung tough at her favourite hunting ground to finish a gutsy third in the women's 1500m at the Diamond League meet in Eugene as peerless Kenyan Faith Kipyegon smashed her own world record. Once the pacemaker dropped out shortly after the halfway point, Paris Olympics silver medallist Hull was the only runner to go with Kigyegon, who has won the last three Olympic 1500m golds. The Kenyan powered home in the final 200 metres to stop the clock at three minutes 48.68 seconds, bettering her previous world mark of 3:49.04. Hull, 28, was third in 3:52.67 at the Hayward Field track where she first made her name as a collegiate star for the University of Oregon. "To get the position right off the line was super nice, and then I just tried to stay relaxed," said Hull. "Then I felt Faith, she put her foot down and made it really hard for that last 500 metres. "This was the fastest 1500m I've been in all year, so it was definitely tough in that last 400, but I'm okay with that being tough at this point of the season. "It was really important to get a really fast one under my belt and build from here." Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet from Kenya also broke a world mark on Saturday (Sunday AEST), becoming the first woman to break the 14-minute barrier in the 5000m with a sizzling run of 13:58.06. Chebet looked in shock when she saw the time, adding to her world 10,000m record set in Eugene last year. Flying Dutchman Niels Laros caused a major boilover in the storied Bowerman Mile, passing American Yared Nuguse in the shadow of the line. Nuguse went out hard as he chased the world record but eventually had to settle for second in 3:45.95, one hundredth of a second behind Laros. Australian teen sensation Cam Myers was a commendable sixth in a stacked field in 3:47.50 - just two hundredths of a second outside the national record he shares with Olli Hoare. Olympic silver medallist Kishane Thompson from Jamaica saluted in a high-quality men's 100m in 9.85. "I'm the only one that can stop me," Thompson said. "I don't say that to brag, but to be honest, once I better my execution, amazing things are going to happen." Lachlan Kennedy was eighth in 10.07. It was the first competitive outing for the 21-year-old Kennedy since he became just the second Australian to legally break the 10-second barrier with a flying time of 9.98 last month in Kenya. American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden stormed home to win the women's 100m in 10.75, relegating Olympic champ Julien Alfred from St Lucia to second spot in 10.77. Paris Olympics gold medallist Letsile Tebogo from Botswana, who kicked off his 2025 campaign at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne in March, won the men's 200m in impressive style in 19.76. Australian Jessica Hull has hung tough at her favourite hunting ground to finish a gutsy third in the women's 1500m at the Diamond League meet in Eugene as peerless Kenyan Faith Kipyegon smashed her own world record. Once the pacemaker dropped out shortly after the halfway point, Paris Olympics silver medallist Hull was the only runner to go with Kigyegon, who has won the last three Olympic 1500m golds. The Kenyan powered home in the final 200 metres to stop the clock at three minutes 48.68 seconds, bettering her previous world mark of 3:49.04. Hull, 28, was third in 3:52.67 at the Hayward Field track where she first made her name as a collegiate star for the University of Oregon. "To get the position right off the line was super nice, and then I just tried to stay relaxed," said Hull. "Then I felt Faith, she put her foot down and made it really hard for that last 500 metres. "This was the fastest 1500m I've been in all year, so it was definitely tough in that last 400, but I'm okay with that being tough at this point of the season. "It was really important to get a really fast one under my belt and build from here." Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet from Kenya also broke a world mark on Saturday (Sunday AEST), becoming the first woman to break the 14-minute barrier in the 5000m with a sizzling run of 13:58.06. Chebet looked in shock when she saw the time, adding to her world 10,000m record set in Eugene last year. Flying Dutchman Niels Laros caused a major boilover in the storied Bowerman Mile, passing American Yared Nuguse in the shadow of the line. Nuguse went out hard as he chased the world record but eventually had to settle for second in 3:45.95, one hundredth of a second behind Laros. Australian teen sensation Cam Myers was a commendable sixth in a stacked field in 3:47.50 - just two hundredths of a second outside the national record he shares with Olli Hoare. Olympic silver medallist Kishane Thompson from Jamaica saluted in a high-quality men's 100m in 9.85. "I'm the only one that can stop me," Thompson said. "I don't say that to brag, but to be honest, once I better my execution, amazing things are going to happen." Lachlan Kennedy was eighth in 10.07. It was the first competitive outing for the 21-year-old Kennedy since he became just the second Australian to legally break the 10-second barrier with a flying time of 9.98 last month in Kenya. American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden stormed home to win the women's 100m in 10.75, relegating Olympic champ Julien Alfred from St Lucia to second spot in 10.77. Paris Olympics gold medallist Letsile Tebogo from Botswana, who kicked off his 2025 campaign at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne in March, won the men's 200m in impressive style in 19.76. Australian Jessica Hull has hung tough at her favourite hunting ground to finish a gutsy third in the women's 1500m at the Diamond League meet in Eugene as peerless Kenyan Faith Kipyegon smashed her own world record. Once the pacemaker dropped out shortly after the halfway point, Paris Olympics silver medallist Hull was the only runner to go with Kigyegon, who has won the last three Olympic 1500m golds. The Kenyan powered home in the final 200 metres to stop the clock at three minutes 48.68 seconds, bettering her previous world mark of 3:49.04. Hull, 28, was third in 3:52.67 at the Hayward Field track where she first made her name as a collegiate star for the University of Oregon. "To get the position right off the line was super nice, and then I just tried to stay relaxed," said Hull. "Then I felt Faith, she put her foot down and made it really hard for that last 500 metres. "This was the fastest 1500m I've been in all year, so it was definitely tough in that last 400, but I'm okay with that being tough at this point of the season. "It was really important to get a really fast one under my belt and build from here." Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet from Kenya also broke a world mark on Saturday (Sunday AEST), becoming the first woman to break the 14-minute barrier in the 5000m with a sizzling run of 13:58.06. Chebet looked in shock when she saw the time, adding to her world 10,000m record set in Eugene last year. Flying Dutchman Niels Laros caused a major boilover in the storied Bowerman Mile, passing American Yared Nuguse in the shadow of the line. Nuguse went out hard as he chased the world record but eventually had to settle for second in 3:45.95, one hundredth of a second behind Laros. Australian teen sensation Cam Myers was a commendable sixth in a stacked field in 3:47.50 - just two hundredths of a second outside the national record he shares with Olli Hoare. Olympic silver medallist Kishane Thompson from Jamaica saluted in a high-quality men's 100m in 9.85. "I'm the only one that can stop me," Thompson said. "I don't say that to brag, but to be honest, once I better my execution, amazing things are going to happen." Lachlan Kennedy was eighth in 10.07. It was the first competitive outing for the 21-year-old Kennedy since he became just the second Australian to legally break the 10-second barrier with a flying time of 9.98 last month in Kenya. American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden stormed home to win the women's 100m in 10.75, relegating Olympic champ Julien Alfred from St Lucia to second spot in 10.77. Paris Olympics gold medallist Letsile Tebogo from Botswana, who kicked off his 2025 campaign at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne in March, won the men's 200m in impressive style in 19.76.
The Advertiser
24 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Sinner eclipses Saint Roger as he mows down Martinez
Jannik Sinner has maintained his ruthless progress towards a first Wimbledon final, consigning Pedro Martinez to the same merciless fate that Luca Nardi and Australian Aleksandar Vukic suffered in the opening two rounds. Sinner beat the Spaniard 6-2 6-3 6-1 in Saturday's third round, bringing to just 17 the number of games he has conceded in three matches during which he hasn't conceded a set. That is the smoothest start to a Wimbledon men's singles in the Open era, eclipsing Roger Federer, the sainted darling of Centre Court, who had lost 19 games at this stage in 2004. Jan Kodes, a semi-finalist in 1972, also lost 17 games, but the Czech also lost a set, and was one-set all in the opening round against Pato Rodriguez. Sinner, who has barely broken sweat, even during the heatwave start to the championships, said of Federer: "I watched matches of him and the classics, the all-time classics. "The tennis was a little bit different in a way of more serve and volleys back in the days. The grass was different. "But I enjoyed it so much watching Roger play. I never played against him in an official match. But in the other way, how they played, it was amazing. "About the games lost, this is whatever. I'm not looking at these kind of records. I know that everything can change very quickly from one round to the other." The world No.1 is yet to have his serve broken, has faced just eight break points and has spent only five hours and 23 minutes on court so far, which is six minutes less than his French Open final defeat by Carlos Alcaraz last month. However, the players he has faced to date are ranked 95, 93 and 52 with little experience at the All England Club. He now meets a Wimbledon veteran, former semi-finalist and 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov. It is, though, 11 years since the Bulgarian reached the last four and he has not made a quarter-final here since. Dimitrov has retired from matches through injury at the last three grand slams but looks fit enough now and reached the fourth round with a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-0) win over Austria's Sebastian Ofner. The Italian renaissance continued with 22nd-seed Flavio Cobolli dispatching Czech 15th seed Jakub Mensik 6-2 6-4 6-2, and he'll next face Croatia's 36-year-old former finalist Marin Cilic, who continued his own revival after multiple knee surgeries with a 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-4 victory over Spain's Jaume Munar. A third Italian man in the last-16 will be Lorenzo Sonego, who finally prevailed in the longest epic of the championships after five hours and four minutes, defeating American Brandon Nakashima 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (12-10) 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 7-6 (12-10). He'll play another American in the last-16 in the shape of big-serving left-hander Ben Shelton, who beat lucky loser Marton Fucsovics 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-2. Jannik Sinner has maintained his ruthless progress towards a first Wimbledon final, consigning Pedro Martinez to the same merciless fate that Luca Nardi and Australian Aleksandar Vukic suffered in the opening two rounds. Sinner beat the Spaniard 6-2 6-3 6-1 in Saturday's third round, bringing to just 17 the number of games he has conceded in three matches during which he hasn't conceded a set. That is the smoothest start to a Wimbledon men's singles in the Open era, eclipsing Roger Federer, the sainted darling of Centre Court, who had lost 19 games at this stage in 2004. Jan Kodes, a semi-finalist in 1972, also lost 17 games, but the Czech also lost a set, and was one-set all in the opening round against Pato Rodriguez. Sinner, who has barely broken sweat, even during the heatwave start to the championships, said of Federer: "I watched matches of him and the classics, the all-time classics. "The tennis was a little bit different in a way of more serve and volleys back in the days. The grass was different. "But I enjoyed it so much watching Roger play. I never played against him in an official match. But in the other way, how they played, it was amazing. "About the games lost, this is whatever. I'm not looking at these kind of records. I know that everything can change very quickly from one round to the other." The world No.1 is yet to have his serve broken, has faced just eight break points and has spent only five hours and 23 minutes on court so far, which is six minutes less than his French Open final defeat by Carlos Alcaraz last month. However, the players he has faced to date are ranked 95, 93 and 52 with little experience at the All England Club. He now meets a Wimbledon veteran, former semi-finalist and 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov. It is, though, 11 years since the Bulgarian reached the last four and he has not made a quarter-final here since. Dimitrov has retired from matches through injury at the last three grand slams but looks fit enough now and reached the fourth round with a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-0) win over Austria's Sebastian Ofner. The Italian renaissance continued with 22nd-seed Flavio Cobolli dispatching Czech 15th seed Jakub Mensik 6-2 6-4 6-2, and he'll next face Croatia's 36-year-old former finalist Marin Cilic, who continued his own revival after multiple knee surgeries with a 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-4 victory over Spain's Jaume Munar. A third Italian man in the last-16 will be Lorenzo Sonego, who finally prevailed in the longest epic of the championships after five hours and four minutes, defeating American Brandon Nakashima 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (12-10) 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 7-6 (12-10). He'll play another American in the last-16 in the shape of big-serving left-hander Ben Shelton, who beat lucky loser Marton Fucsovics 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-2. Jannik Sinner has maintained his ruthless progress towards a first Wimbledon final, consigning Pedro Martinez to the same merciless fate that Luca Nardi and Australian Aleksandar Vukic suffered in the opening two rounds. Sinner beat the Spaniard 6-2 6-3 6-1 in Saturday's third round, bringing to just 17 the number of games he has conceded in three matches during which he hasn't conceded a set. That is the smoothest start to a Wimbledon men's singles in the Open era, eclipsing Roger Federer, the sainted darling of Centre Court, who had lost 19 games at this stage in 2004. Jan Kodes, a semi-finalist in 1972, also lost 17 games, but the Czech also lost a set, and was one-set all in the opening round against Pato Rodriguez. Sinner, who has barely broken sweat, even during the heatwave start to the championships, said of Federer: "I watched matches of him and the classics, the all-time classics. "The tennis was a little bit different in a way of more serve and volleys back in the days. The grass was different. "But I enjoyed it so much watching Roger play. I never played against him in an official match. But in the other way, how they played, it was amazing. "About the games lost, this is whatever. I'm not looking at these kind of records. I know that everything can change very quickly from one round to the other." The world No.1 is yet to have his serve broken, has faced just eight break points and has spent only five hours and 23 minutes on court so far, which is six minutes less than his French Open final defeat by Carlos Alcaraz last month. However, the players he has faced to date are ranked 95, 93 and 52 with little experience at the All England Club. He now meets a Wimbledon veteran, former semi-finalist and 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov. It is, though, 11 years since the Bulgarian reached the last four and he has not made a quarter-final here since. Dimitrov has retired from matches through injury at the last three grand slams but looks fit enough now and reached the fourth round with a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-0) win over Austria's Sebastian Ofner. The Italian renaissance continued with 22nd-seed Flavio Cobolli dispatching Czech 15th seed Jakub Mensik 6-2 6-4 6-2, and he'll next face Croatia's 36-year-old former finalist Marin Cilic, who continued his own revival after multiple knee surgeries with a 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-4 victory over Spain's Jaume Munar. A third Italian man in the last-16 will be Lorenzo Sonego, who finally prevailed in the longest epic of the championships after five hours and four minutes, defeating American Brandon Nakashima 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (12-10) 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 7-6 (12-10). He'll play another American in the last-16 in the shape of big-serving left-hander Ben Shelton, who beat lucky loser Marton Fucsovics 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-2. Jannik Sinner has maintained his ruthless progress towards a first Wimbledon final, consigning Pedro Martinez to the same merciless fate that Luca Nardi and Australian Aleksandar Vukic suffered in the opening two rounds. Sinner beat the Spaniard 6-2 6-3 6-1 in Saturday's third round, bringing to just 17 the number of games he has conceded in three matches during which he hasn't conceded a set. That is the smoothest start to a Wimbledon men's singles in the Open era, eclipsing Roger Federer, the sainted darling of Centre Court, who had lost 19 games at this stage in 2004. Jan Kodes, a semi-finalist in 1972, also lost 17 games, but the Czech also lost a set, and was one-set all in the opening round against Pato Rodriguez. Sinner, who has barely broken sweat, even during the heatwave start to the championships, said of Federer: "I watched matches of him and the classics, the all-time classics. "The tennis was a little bit different in a way of more serve and volleys back in the days. The grass was different. "But I enjoyed it so much watching Roger play. I never played against him in an official match. But in the other way, how they played, it was amazing. "About the games lost, this is whatever. I'm not looking at these kind of records. I know that everything can change very quickly from one round to the other." The world No.1 is yet to have his serve broken, has faced just eight break points and has spent only five hours and 23 minutes on court so far, which is six minutes less than his French Open final defeat by Carlos Alcaraz last month. However, the players he has faced to date are ranked 95, 93 and 52 with little experience at the All England Club. He now meets a Wimbledon veteran, former semi-finalist and 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov. It is, though, 11 years since the Bulgarian reached the last four and he has not made a quarter-final here since. Dimitrov has retired from matches through injury at the last three grand slams but looks fit enough now and reached the fourth round with a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-0) win over Austria's Sebastian Ofner. The Italian renaissance continued with 22nd-seed Flavio Cobolli dispatching Czech 15th seed Jakub Mensik 6-2 6-4 6-2, and he'll next face Croatia's 36-year-old former finalist Marin Cilic, who continued his own revival after multiple knee surgeries with a 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-4 victory over Spain's Jaume Munar. A third Italian man in the last-16 will be Lorenzo Sonego, who finally prevailed in the longest epic of the championships after five hours and four minutes, defeating American Brandon Nakashima 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (12-10) 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 7-6 (12-10). He'll play another American in the last-16 in the shape of big-serving left-hander Ben Shelton, who beat lucky loser Marton Fucsovics 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-2.
