Grigor Dimitrov wins Wimbledon hearts - and the silverware will follow.
It took almost an hour for the real Grigor Dimitrov to emerge, the Dimitrov with the forehand that could pass for one of Roger Federer’s, the drop shots that make your heart melt and all the imagination in the world, but it was worth the wait. This brilliant Bulgarian, with his film-star good looks and a placid demeanour that masks his raging appetite for success, is here to stay. That development will be music to the ears of a cooing, love-struck Centre Court crowd, who appear to have adopted Dimitrov as one of their own after he sent Andy Murray spiralling out of Wimbledon in their quarter-final on Wednesday.
Unfortunately the ultimate competitor was waiting for Dimitrov on the other side of the net and for all the talk of how the dominance of the big four is being eroded, Novak Djokovic has no intention of going anywhere just yet. The new generation have made their presence felt during the past fortnight, but Djokovic ensured that Dimitrov will have to wait his turn by winning 6-4, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 to reach the final again.
Dimitrov will find it tough to get over wasting three consecutive set points in the fourth set tie-break. Something similar happened against Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open quarter-finals. Yet there were positives nonetheless, further confirmation that we are dealing with an enormous talent. Dimitrov glimpsed greatness and his time will come.
This has been his breakthrough year, when he has developed the physicality to match his outrageous gifts under the guidance of Roger Rasheed. The 23-year-old pushed the remorseless Djokovic hard in four sets that oscillated wildly, their exchanges occasionally breathtaking but sometimes mundane as both men tried to come to terms with the blustery conditions. The wind often disrupted their flow, doing weird things to the ball as it jerked unpredictably through the air.
The crowd did not mind that Dimitrov had vanquished Murray. No hard feelings. He was only doing his job and it is one he performs with a level of grace and class that makes it easy to see why he was once called “Baby Fed”. Inside Centre Court, they are already on nickname terms with him. “Come on Grigsy,” one fan shouted repeatedly. Another decided “Come on Greg” was better.
Yet for a set and a half, our Grigsy was in turmoil. While Djokovic, a seasoned champion, was relaxed in these surroundings, Dimitrov was in unfamiliar territory. He is calm to an almost supernatural extent but nerves were inevitable, given that this was his first grand-slam semi-final. Maria Sharapova, Dimitrov’s girlfriend, was poker-faced behind her sunglasses at first but was soon biting her nails furiously.
Djokovic was in a hurry early on. He snatched the first set in a 27-minute blur and when he broke to lead 3-1 in the second, Dimitrov was in a heap of trouble. His movement was sluggish, he was making too many errors and Djokovic, the best returner in the game, was reading his serve.
Djokovic was in command. His defensive skills are second to none and he could rival Mr Fantastic for flexibility. If Djokovic were a superhero, he would be called Elastic Man. But back came Dimitrov, playing the kind of dreamy tennis that leaves you with a warm feeling inside, and he won five consecutive games to level the match. His forehand crackled, he changed direction effortlessly, the drop volleys flowed and the aces flew off his racket. Djokovic argued with himself and even kicked the turf in frustration at one point. Dimitrov has that effect on his opponents, that ability to make them doubt themselves.
Yet Djokovic’s bendy body is matched by his iron will. Dimitrov was the superior technician but Djokovic’s battle-hardened tenacity is unrivalled. He won the third set on a tie-break and Dimitrov threatened to implode, three double-faults at the start of the fourth set allowing Djokovic to break.
Dimitrov would not lie down – apart from when he slipped on the dusty surface at the back of the court, of course. It happened more than once and he hauled himself to his feet every time. Dimitrov is made of stern stuff and he broke back, forced another tie-break and then held three set points. Djokovic had other ideas. Experience was the difference this time, but Dimitrov’s class will tell eventually.
Friday 4 July 2014
