Monte Carlo Masters: Grigor Dimitrov resurgence continues

ATP Tour
Grigor Dimitrov Monte Carlo Masters

Grigor Dimitrov was the undoing of another seed at the Monte Carlo Masters as he defeated heavy-hitting pole Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(2).

Their epic meeting came down to a tiebreaker in the deciding set which ultimately saw the Bulgarian reach the semi-finals in Monte Carlo for the second time.

Dimitrov also upset fourth seed, Casper Ruud, in the Round of 16 and has now improved to 20-8 in career matches in Monte Carlo.

The former World No 3 is not thinking about the return to the top 20 that would come if he reached the final in Monte Carlo.

“I am just going one day at a time,” said Dimitrov in his on-court interview. “I’ve put in the work ⁠— that’s all I’ve done. I’m not even thinking of how I’m playing or anything like that, I just want to [do] a lot of work.

“The season on clay is not that long so you just want to keep on building, and that’s all I’m doing right now. Of course, if I would have lost that match it would have been disappointing, but at the same time I wouldn’t be too down on myself because I’ve been doing the right things.”

A dramatic final set saw Dimitrov and Hurkacz trade breaks twice, but it was the former who prevailed.

“In the end I think it was very tough for both of us,” said Dimitrov. “I think physically we were both feeling well but I felt like I was staying on top the whole time and I was putting a lot of pressure [on him]. I think that may have been the difference.

“All I could say to myself was just to put the ball in the court. I knew every time I was able to put the ball in the court and was getting in the rally, I feel like I was making him very uncomfortable. His serve was amazing, especially in that second set, so I really had to stay calm, to be honest.”

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina stands between Dimitrov and a third Master Series final.

The Spaniard defeated Indian Wells champion Taylor Fritz 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 earlier on Friday.

Grigor Dimitrov

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