Third seed Grigor Dimitrov overcame his recent run of lacklustre form with a hard-fought 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(4), win over Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Heading into the match there were doubts surround the Bulgarian as he struggled to find the range in his game earlier in the week. Following his triumph over Andrey Rublev on Friday, Dimitrov openly admitted that ‘certain things’ are not working in his game. Those fears have been eased by a convincing triumph over Kyrgios on the Rod Laver Arena. Where he claimed 81% of his first service points and withstood 36 aces fired from his opponent.
“Playing against Nick it is always tricky.” Said Dimitrov. “Two weeks ago I lost against him (in Brisbane). He was serving unbelievable, playing unbelievable. He deserves a lot of credit and he fought really hard.”
“It was just one of those matches where you have to be locked in and try to get every opportunity you have.” He added.
The highly anticipated clash lived up to the hype with both players showing their potential. Dimitrov’s athletic ability and defensive play brought admiration from the Melbourne crowd. Meanwhile, Kyrgios responded with some ferocious firepower in his shot-making. In all, it was a match of fine margins with the third seed prevailing in the most crucial moments.
This was illustrated best during the opening set tiebreaker. Leading 4-2, Dimitrov secured a vital break after a forehand from his rival landed beyond the baseline. Triggering a surge in frustration from Kyrgios. The mood of the Australian worsened further after he double faulted on set point, putting Dimitrov in the driving seat.
Breaking midway through the second set, it appeared as if Dimitrov would run away with the win. Kyrgios kept glaring towards his camp as he took aim at them about the preparation of his racket. At the same time, Dimitrov’s coach, Dani Vallverdú, also took a swipe at the group. Complaining to the umpire that they were coaching from the stands.
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To the delight of the 15,000 Australian fans in the stadium, Kyrgios battled back to revive his hopes. Only to have them quashed by some breathtaking play from 26-year-old. One again, it was a tiebreak the separated them and once again Dimitrov came out on top. Slamming a forehand winner down the line to break for 5-4 and position himself for the two sets lead. Which he did with the help of a deep return.
Given the unpredictability of Kyrgios’ play, it was inevitable that there would at some point be a change in the match momentum. Trailing by two sets, Kyrgios capitalized on his free-hitting to get himself back into the match. Providing plenty of food for thought for Dimitrov as he began a failed comeback.
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Avoiding the loss, Dimitrov struggled to close out the roller coaster match. After breaking for a 5-3 lead in the fourth set, a below-par service game enable Kyrgios to fight his way back in. In a fitting fashion, it was a tiebreaker that secured Dimitrov’s place in the last eight. A Kyrgios forehand into the net secured him the mini break as he battled to two match points. Sealing the win with a forehand cross-court winner.
“When I was serving for the match I felt that it was still not over. I was finding my spots well and he was playing very well.” The world No.3 said about closing out the match.
“I’m just glad to get through.”
In the last eight Dimitrov will take on Kyle Edmund, who defeated Andreas Seppi in four sets. Edmund is only the second British player on the ATP Tour to reach the last eight in Melbourne within the past 33 years. At the start of the year, Dimitrov triumphed in three sets over Edmund at the Brisbane International.
“It is just another match that I need to go through and focus on my side of the court.” He said about the upcoming encounter.
“At the beginning of the tournament I was not feeling the ball too well, not striking it. Today I was just happy that I switched on a gear and hopefully the next match I can do better.”
A win over Edmund would move Dimitrov into the semifinals of the Australian Open for the second time in his career. Something that he has never achieved at the other three majors.