Grigor Dimitrov prevailed against local hero Nick Kyrgios in a dramatic match and continues to dream of his first Grand Slam title.
For many years Grigor Dimitrov was the eternal talent of the wandering tennis business. The man, who in his mid-twenties was no longer really flattered to be called a “baby pen” because of stylistic similarities. But now it seems as if the elegant Bulgarian had missed the big turn in time for his career – with remarkable steps forward. And very good results also on the stages, which are something that count in his sport.
About two months after his victory at the ATP World Championship in London, the 26-year-old Aesthetic has now established itself again as a serious favourite at the Australian Open. His 7:6 (7:3), 7:6 (7:4), 4:6,7:6 (7:4) win over Australian local hero Nick Kyrgios was in every respect a challenge to the competition, an exclamation point in a competition where once again most people have talked about the deserved champions of the industry – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
But just as Dimitrov, currently the world’s No. 3, prevailed against Kyrgios in the heated atmosphere of this night vision, ignoring Kyrgios as he kept his nerves in this tiebreak thriller and ignoring occasional hostilities in the backdrop, no one can overlook him in the cup award Down Under.”I am a little proud that I have mastered this task against a really strong opponent. Directly after Dimitrov’s victory, a memorable, touching scene had taken place on the net: winners and losers embraced each other, and then Kyrgios challenged his conqueror to approach other tasks with a similar attitude, saying:”Believe.” (“Believe? in You”). According to Australia’s former champion Pat Cash,”it was a match worthy of a finale,” said ex-superstar and TV expert Boris Becker, who noted that both players had played at the “absolute height of their art”.
Dimitrov will now face the unseated Briton Kyle Edmund, who had previously eliminated South Tyrolean Andreas Seppi, in the round of the last eight. The Bulgarians are clearly the favourites, and it is safe to assume that they will make it into the Melbourne semi-finals just as they did last year. At the time, he had lost to Nadal in an outstanding match. Whether a reunion with the Mallorcan matador will take place remains to be seen – but it is possible. Nadal has to knock out Croatian Marin Cilic after his Sunday’s win over vivacious Argentinean Diego Schwartzmann (6-3,6-7,6-3,6-3,6-3) – the pre-season Wimbledon finalist is an extraordinarily high hurdle. Won Nadal, the new date with Dimitrov would be perfect.
The man of the hour was Dimitrov, who saved a very thin advantage against Kyrgios in the final points as in the match. The converted match point in the tiebreak of the fourth set meant the 157 to 156 lead – a fact that illustrated how contested this evening gala was, this duel with all the tricks and finesses. Almost unbelievable, but true: Kyrgios defeated 76 winners and 36 asses, but as the winner he did not leave the pitch. Quite simply because Dimitrov refused to back down in this assault storm. His coverage of the square, his physical suppleness were impressive – it reminded us of Federer’s movement patterns, whether we wanted to or not. It cannot be ruled out that they will still meet: the Maestro and the man who for so long has been regarded as his congenial heir. It would be Sunday. In the final of Melbourne.