Matteo Berrettini tipped to beat Fils on Wimbledon day four
Matteo Berrettini is tipped to beat Arthur Fils in Wimbledon 2026 second-round action on day four, with tipsters citing his grass pedigree and a dominant serving display against Stan Wawrinka. Racing Post backs the 2021 finalist at 19-10, arguing the Italian is overpriced if his body holds up against injury-hit Fils.
Thursday's second-round slate at the All England Club mixes headline names with knife-edge betting puzzles. French Open champion Alexander Zverev leads the bottom half, but much of the buzz surrounds whether veterans like Matteo Berrettini and Grigor Dimitrov can upstage younger talents when the grass really starts to bite.
Key Takeaways
- Racing Post tips Matteo Berrettini to beat Arthur Fils at 19-10 with Hills.
- Berrettini fired 29 aces and faced only two break points in his four-set win over Stan Wawrinka.
- The Italian praised Fils as a player who can beat anyone when fit, but still expects a tough test.
- Grigor Dimitrov is also backed to beat French Open semi-finalist Jakub Mensik at 7-4.
- Selected day-four picks combine in an 11-2 accumulator on Racing Post's card.
Why is Matteo Berrettini tipped to beat Arthur Fils?
When Berrettini reached the 2021 final against Novak Djokovic, he looked like a Grand Slam winner in waiting. Injuries have since derailed that trajectory, yet Wimbledon has repeatedly brought out his best. The Italian owns four grass-court titles and produced a fearsome serving display in round one, firing 29 aces while conceding just two break-point chances against Wawrinka.
Racing Post argues that if Berrettini's body survives the workload, he is overpriced to see off 22-year-old Fils. The Frenchman missed the French Open through injury and carries limited grass-court experience. For more offbeat sports angles, see our Bizarre World coverage.
What did Berrettini say about Fils before their clash?
Speaking to Tennis Temple after his Wawrinka win, Berrettini did not downplay the threat. "We know Arthur is a very strong player," he said. "Despite the injuries he has encountered, he always manages to return to a very high level."
The pair have met only once, at Tokyo in 2024, when Berrettini retired while trailing 7-6. Thursday marks their first meeting on grass. Berrettini called Fils an excellent player who, when in form, can beat anyone, adding that he trains specifically for these high-stakes duels at SW19.
Could Grigor Dimitrov upstage Jakub Mensik too?
Day four is not only about Berrettini. Racing Post also backs 35-year-old Grigor Dimitrov at 7-4 with BoyleSports to beat Czech rising star Jakub Mensik. Dimitrov eased past his first-round opponent 7-6, 6-3, 7-5 with 23 aces and only two breaks of serve surrendered, underlining why the former Wimbledon semi-finalist remains dangerous on his day.
Mensik, tipped heavily by markets, looks too short in the eyes of Racing Post pundits who believe experience could trump youth on the lawns. That pairing sits alongside Berrettini-Fils in an 11-2 day-four acca assembled by the tipsters.
What should punters watch beyond the moneyline?
Fitness is the elephant on court. Berrettini's tiebreak-heavy battle with Wawrinka tested his body early in the fortnight. Fils is also managing a comeback after being sidelined through injury. The historical data points to short points and big serving, which could push total-games markets if neither man yields cheap breaks.
Oddsmakers list Fils among the favourites on sportsbooks including FanDuel, even as specialist tennis tips lean toward the Italian's grass pedigree. That split makes Berrettini one of Thursday's most debated calls — and exactly the sort of veteran-versus-prodigy plot Wimbledon thrives on.