ATP finals: Greedy Dimitrov wins Drama semi-final

Grigor Dimitrov has reached the final of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals 2017. The Bulgarian will face David Goffin, the surprise finalist from Belgium, after his three-movement win over Jack Sock in the final.

After the big surprise in the first semi-final, it’s clear: Two newcomers will be in the final of the ATP World Tour Finals 2017. In the afternoon, the Belgian David Goffin put an end to the triumphal march of old master Roger Federer in a thrilling match.

The spectators in the O2-arena could look forward to a thrilling duel between Dimitrov and Sock, because both players are known for their enormous speed.

As in the matches before, the Bulgarian Dimitrov presented himself greedy and in top physical form. After a clear service game at the beginning, the 26-year-old won his break chances and went into the lead with a wonderful stroke combination of 3:0 and a break. Sock’s serve didn’t run smoothly and was always well moved by his opponent with a deep slice. The American, however, stayed intact and won a break point which he used for the 2:3-connection and was able to equalize with his own service 3:3. Under the watchful eye of German football world champion Per Mertesacker, the game gained drama and Sock grabbed the break to 5:4 and the first half after 47 minutes with 6:4.

The break seemed to have led Dimitrov to old strength and the 26-year-old quickly took the lead as in the first round, this time with a double break and 4:0. The number of errors of the Bulgarians is minimized from 17 in the first set to only four in second set. Consequently, Dimitrov equalled with a furious 6:0 in the sets and it went into the decisive third round.

With seven consecutive wins in a row, Dimitrov also started the third set with a lead before Sock could win another game 1-1 after just under half an hour. The level of the match reached its climax in the middle of the deciding set and both players enraptured the 17500 spectators with intensive tennis. Despite over 80 percent of the first serve, Sock made two fatal double mistakes at 3:4 and gave Dimitrov the chance to finish the match with his own serve. Dimitrov fought off three breakballs to the re-break and the opening guest in London turned his fifth match point into a 4-6,6-0 and 6-3 win.

It’s also clear that there will be a new winner in the ATP finals this year, because for Dimitrov and Goffin it’s the first time they’ve taken part in London and thus the first chance to win the tournament’s best eight.