Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic has backed World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov to break his Grand Slam duck in 2018.
Dimitrov has been in red hot form of late, winning the ATP Finals in London in November and dashing Australian hopes by sending Nick Kyrgios out of the Australian Open on Sunday is set to win his maiden Major title in 2018. Terming Dimitrov as one of the best athletes in tennis, the Croatian reckoned the 26-year-old has matured a lot in recent times.
“Although he was always aggressive I sometimes thought that he played the point for the crowd, not for himself,” Ivanisevic said. “Now I think he is more calm.
“His backhand has improved a lot. He is not missing backhands as much as he used to. The backhand has become a weapon. His forehand is much better. I think his second serve should improve. Sometimes he is just out of balance. But the way he is moving – wow, he is one of the best athletes there.
“I see him in the semi-finals, I don’t know against who, but he’s going to be dangerous to beat.”
The 2001 Wimbledon champion was impressed with Dimitrov’s performance against home hope Kygrios, whom he beat in the fourth round in Melbourne.
“He lifted his game, because I had been very impressed with Nick,” Ivanisevic said. “Grigor improved a lot last year, working with Dani, winning the ATP Finals and he is going to be dangerous.”
The Bulgarian has progressed to the semifinals of a Grand Slam twice in the past. He was beaten by World No. 1 Rafael Nadal in a five-set epic in Melbourne in 2017 while Novak Djokovic defeated him at Wimbledon four years ago.
“A Slam is tough,” Ivanisevic said. “Last year we saw Rafa and Roger split four Slams. Dimitrov is one of the guys who can step up. So can Kyrgios if he keeps his head like he did here. I don’t see a lot of guys who can do that but Dimitrov is definitely one of the guys who can win a Grand Slam this year.”
