Sunday, March 9, 2014

Dimitrov in 'inspired' ATP triumph

Grigor Dimitrov showed his fighting qualities to win the ATP event in Mexico with a three-set win in the final over Kevin Anderson.
Grigor Dimitrov showed his fighting qualities to win the ATP event in Mexico with a three-set win in the final over Kevin Anderson.
  • Grigor Dimitrov wins ATP tournament in Mexico
  • Beats Kevin Anderson of South Africa in final in Acapulco
  • 2nd ATP title for 22-year-old Bulgarian
  • Dominika Cibulkova wins WTA event

(CNN) -- Grigor Dimitrov backed up his undoubted talent with a gutsy display to beat South Africa's Kevin Anderson in a three-hour final at the ATP Tour event in Mexico.

The 22-year-old Bulgarian prevailed 7-6 3-6 7-6 in a match which finished at 1.13 am local time Sunday as Dimitrov took full advantage of his first match point.

His girlfriend Maria Sharapova tweeted "Inspired!" after Dimitrov wrapped up his hard-fought victory in a match which contained just one break of service on the fast blue hard courts in Acapulco.

Dimitrov, who is now coached by Roger Rasheed, will rise to a projected 16th in the new world rankings with his reputation enhanced by a semifinal victory over Britain's Andy Murray.

Grigor Dimitrov won his first ATP Tour title in October 2013, and is seeking to make his own name in the game after being compared to a young Roger Federer during his early years on the scene. Grigor Dimitrov won his first ATP Tour title in October 2013, and is seeking to make his own name in the game after being compared to a young Roger Federer during his early years on the scene.
Giant Pole Jerzy Janowicz came to grand slam prominence when he reached the semifinals at Wimbledon 2013, losing to eventual champion Andy Murray. The previous year he made it to the final of the Paris Masters.Giant Pole Jerzy Janowicz came to grand slam prominence when he reached the semifinals at Wimbledon 2013, losing to eventual champion Andy Murray. The previous year he made it to the final of the Paris Masters.
Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta is hoping to make the step up this year after impressing on the second-tier Challenger circuit, winning a string of titles in 2013.Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta is hoping to make the step up this year after impressing on the second-tier Challenger circuit, winning a string of titles in 2013.
Big-serving Milos Raonic, hailed by some as the next Pete Sampras, was the ATP's rookie of the year in 2011 and has already won five titles, but the Canadian is still to get past the fourth round of a grand slam. Big-serving Milos Raonic, hailed by some as the next Pete Sampras, was the ATP's rookie of the year in 2011 and has already won five titles, but the Canadian is still to get past the fourth round of a grand slam.
Former junior world No. 1 Nick Kyrgios is hoping to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Bernard Tomic in establishing himself on the senior circuit. While injury ended Tomic's 2014 Australian Open, Kyrgios won his opening match to the delight of the home crowd.Former junior world No. 1 Nick Kyrgios is hoping to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Bernard Tomic in establishing himself on the senior circuit. While injury ended Tomic's 2014 Australian Open, Kyrgios won his opening match to the delight of the home crowd.
Who will be the next men's tennis star?Who will be the next men's tennis star?
On the court with 'Baby Federer'
Can 'Baby Federer' become a champion?
Pat takes on Grigor Dimitrov

That marathon three-setter ended in the early hours of Saturday morning and it left Dimitrov with concerns about his physical condition heading into the title match with the big-serving Anderson.

"Belief is the only thing that kept me going today," Dimitrov told the official ATP Tour website.

Read: Federer wins Dubai title for sixth time

"I didn't think I was going to come back after last night's match. I'm really happy. This title means a lot to me. "Every match I played was really tough, especially the last three where I played three sets."

He took the opener by emphatically winning the opening tiebreaker 7-1, but Anderson hit back with a break of service in the second to force a decider.

That proved equally close until Anderson hit a backhand long at 5-5 and Dimitrov closed out the match on the next point.

It was the second ATP title for Dimitrov, who has had to live up to the tag "Baby Federer" because of perceived similarities in his style of play with the 17-time grand slam champion.

Dimitrov is reported to have joined the management group which Federer and his agent Roger Godsick are setting up to represent a small group of elite players.

Read: Federer and Nadal confirmed for exhibition league

'Team Federer" has certainly enjoyed a successful weekend with the Swiss maestro claiming his sixth Dubai title earlier Saturday with victory over Tomas Berdych.

Both of the weekend winners will head to the Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells, California where Dimitrov is set to be a dangerous outsider based on his performances in Mexico.

In the WTA tournament in Acapulco, Australian Open finalist Dominika Cibulkova beat Christina McHale 7-6 4-6 6-4.

It was the fourth career crown for the Slovakian top seed, who lost to China's Li Na in the final of the opening grand slam of the season.

Share This!


No comments:

Post a Comment

Powered By Blogger · Designed By Elle News post