Eight seed Grigor Dimitrov dug deep to beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-7 (9-11) 6-3 7-5 in 2 hours and 45 minutes to reach the third round at the Rolex Paris Masters. Dimitrov saved all three break points he faced.
Dimitrov is currently 10th in the ATP Live Race to Turin, 306 points behind Alex De Minaur. The Bulgarian player needs to reach the semifinals to remain in contention for a spot in the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.
Dimitrov saved a break point in the first game after four deuces. Etcheverry fended off a break point in the fourth game for 2-2. Dimitrov saved two break points to hold serve in the fifth game for 3-2. Both players held on their next games en route to tie-break. Dimitrov earned a mini-break to take a 2-0 lead, but Etcheverry pulled the mini-break back for 2-2. Etcheverry went up a mini-break twice at 5-3 and 7-6, but Dimitrov pulled back on serve both times to draw level to 7-7. Etcheverry saved a set point at 8-9 and won the final three points to close out the tie-break 11-9.
Dimitrov earned a break at 15 in the fifth game of the second set to take a 3-2 lead. The Bulgarian player held serve at love before breaking serve on his fifth set point in the ninth game.
Neither player faced a break point in the third set until the final point of the match, when Dimitrov earned a break to close out the match after 2 hours and 44 minutes.
“It’s tough conditions, at the end of the year it’s very tricky. Everyone wants to empty their tank completely He played an amazing first set. I am far from the game I really want to play, but I am adjusting To win matches in that manner is way better for me than playing a clean match. I am really happy with the fight. Of course, I really want to win every single match, but if I am able to show that fight, I am in a good place. I would give a lot a lot to be in, I am in a place where I am still a contender. I am still fighting against the best players in the world and still beating the younger guys. This gives me confidence and makes me happy”, said Dimitrov.