grigor-dimitrov : September 2016

Friday 30 September 2016

Grigor in Semi-final in Chengdu.

Third seed Grigor Dimitrov rallied from a set and a break down to reach the Chengdu Open semi-finals on Friday, battling past Diego Schwartzman 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in just over two hours.

Since the Rogers Cup in Toronto, where he joined forces with coach, Dani Vallverdu, Dimitrov has gone 11-4 on the ATP World Tour, enjoying a resurgence in form that has seen him reach the semi-finals in Cincinnati (l. to Cilic) and the fourth round of the US Open (l. to Murray).

Dimitrov, who clinched his 200th tour-level win on Wednesday, will now look to reach his third ATP World Tour final of the season, but it was not without a fight that he got by Schwartzman.

The Bulgarian was in trouble as he trailed by a set and 3-1 in the second set, but broke back in the eighth game before breaking again in the 10th game to force a decider. After relinquishing an early service break in the third set, Dimitrov broke decisively in the fourth game and went on to seal victory.

"He played really well at the beginning of the match," said Dimitrov. "Whatever I was trying was not working. I tried to overpower him a little bit. He's the type of player who will not give you anything for free. I had to fight and find a new way to rattle him. I think after that break, at 4-3 in the second set, the momentum start to shift a bit.

"I knew that I need to keep my composure and stay calm. I played a pretty loose game in the third set. I shouldn't do that. If it's against any better player, for sure I would have suffered. Right now I am just very happy to make it to the semi-finals."

For a place in the final of this inaugural ATP World Tour 250 tournament, Dimitrov will face fifth seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas, who ousted top seed Dominic Thiem 6-1, 6-4 in just under one hour.

Photos from holidays in Italy. // Grigor with Nicole.

Chengdu Open, Quarterfinal: Dimitrov v Schwartzman 4-6, 6-4, 6-3

Thursday 29 September 2016

Grigor Dimitrov celebrated his 200th victory with fans in Chengdu Open #200

Wednesday 28 September 2016

200th victory for Grigor Dimitrov

Third seed Grigor Dimitrov clinched his 200th tour-level victory on Wednesday at the Chengdu Open as he defeated Dusan Lajovic 7-6(1), 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals.

The 25-year-old Dimitrov has enjoyed a resurgence in form since joining forces with new coach, Dani Vallverdu, over the summer. The 25 year old reached the quarter-finals in Toronto (l. to Nishikori), the semi-finals in Cincinnati (l. to Cilic) and the fourth round of the US Open (l. to Murray).

Dimitrov continued his winning ways at this ATP World Tour 250 tournament as he won 77 per cent of his service points to clinch victory in 90 minutes. The Bulgarian sets up a clash with either Diego Schwartzman or Paolo Lorenzi.