Grigor Dimitrov (C) leaves the court after getting injured during the men's singles round of 16 match between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Jannik Sinner of Italy at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

LONDON, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Men's top seed Jannik Sinner advanced to the Wimbledon quarterfinals under unfortunate circumstances on Monday after Grigor Dimitrov was forced to retire due to right pectoral injury while leading their fourth-round clash by two sets.

Dimitrov was ahead 6-3, 7-5, 2-2 when he fell to the court following an ace. The visibly emotional Bulgarian, unable to lift his right arm, was forced to retire, handing Sinner passage to the next round.

Sinner will now face American Ben Shelton, who advanced with a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (1), 7-5 win over Lorenzo Sonego.

"I don't take this as a win at all, this is just an unfortunate moment for us to witness," Sinner said following the match.

"He has struggled in Grand Slams with injuries a lot, so seeing him again with this injury is very tough. We all saw by his reaction how much he cares about the sport and he is one of the hardest working players on tour," the Italian said.

"This is not the end we wanted to see and it's very sad," he added.

Elsewhere, seven-time champion Novak Djokovic rallied from a set down to defeat Australia's Alex de Minaur 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. The Serbian star will meet Italy's Flavio Cobolli in the quarterfinals after Cobolli ousted Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3).

In the women's draw, Iga Swiatek's pursuit of a maiden Wimbledon title continued as she eased past Denmark's Clara Tauson 6-4, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals for the second time. The Polish eighth seed will next face Liudmila Samsonova.

Teenager Mirra Andreeva reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal with a commanding 6-2, 6-3 win over Emma Navarro. The 18-year-old will play against Belinda Bencic, who advanced with a 7-6 (4), 6-4 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova. ■

Grigor Dimitrov wipes the tears after getting injured during the men's singles round of 16 match between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Jannik Sinner of Italy at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Grigor Dimitrov serves during the men's singles round of 16 match between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Jannik Sinner of Italy at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Jannik Sinner serves during the men's singles round of 16 match between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Jannik Sinner of Italy at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Grigor Dimitrov hits a return during the men's singles round of 16 match between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Jannik Sinner of Italy at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Grigor Dimitrov reacts after getting injured during the men's singles round of 16 match between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Jannik Sinner of Italy at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Grigor Dimitrov waves to spectators after deciding to retire from the match due to injury during the men's singles round of 16 match between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Jannik Sinner of Italy at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Jannik Sinner (L) checks on Grigor Dimitrov after Dimitrov was injured during the men's singles round of 16 match between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Jannik Sinner of Italy at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Novak Djokovic celebrates scoring during the men's singles fourth round match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Alex de Minaur of Australia at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Alex de Minaur serves during the men's singles fourth round match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Alex de Minaur of Australia at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Novak Djokovic hits a return during the men's singles fourth round match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Alex de Minaur of Australia at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Novak Djokovic reacts during the men's singles fourth round match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Alex de Minaur of Australia at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)