Grigor Dimitrov produced a convincing performance to thrashed David Goffin 6-3 6-2 6-4 in the Quarterfinals of the Australian Open
In their second meeting, it was Dimitrov who started the brightest of the two players using his power and movement to get the early break in the second game for a 2-0 lead. Despite Dimitrov’s excellent backhand overpowering Goffin’s defence, the Belgian was resilient and broke on his fourth break point in the sixth game to level the set at 3-3. Both men were becoming tight and tense, so it was a tactical battle to see who was going to come out on top in this first set. Eventually it was the Bulgarian who broke his opponents spirit in the eight game to grab a 5-3 lead. The 15th seed hung tough and sealed the first set on his first opportunity, 6-3. Could Goffin come back into the match?
Well the second set didn’t get off to the best of starts for Goffin, after unforced errors and double faults creeped into his game he was broke in the first game. He was starting to look increasingly frustrated. However Dimitrov surprisingly looked flat in the next game and was easily broken back, as this set was level at 1-1. Both players were looking anxious, especially Goffin, who was looking to become the first Belgian to ever reach the semifinals at the Australian Open, this was evident as a third break in a row occurred as Dimitov stormed into a 2-1 lead. Once the world number 15 held serve, he dominated the set using his first strike to dictate the point. Despite the fortitude of the Belgian he concede the second set 6-2 in 43 minutes.
The third set saw a better start for Goffin as he dug deep to keep on applying the pressure on the Dimitrov service game. The only problem for the Belgian is that he didn’t have anything that could hurt the talented Bulgarian. It was only a matter of time before the 15th seed broken the Goffin serve again, that is exactly what happened in the seventh game as he lead 4-3. He then went out to seve for the match to seal victory in 2 hours and 12 minutes.
A Dissapointing end to the tournament for Goffin, who would have liked to make the semifinals of a grand slam for the very first time. However Dimitrov was just too strong and demonstrated that his powerful backhand can break down anybody’s game. Dimitrov will now await the winner of the highly anticipated match between Milos Raonic and Rafael Nadal.
