Former champion Grigor Dimitrov has got off to a winning start at the Brisbane International after defeating Japan’s Yashioto Nishioka 6-3, 6-4.
The sixth seed encountered stiff resistance from his rival during both the start and end of the match. To begin with Dimitrov fended off a total of five break points during his two opening service games before grabbing a crucial break for a 3-1 lead. Then in the second set, the Bulgarian worked his was to a 5-2 lead before faltering and dropping consecutive two games. Despite the blip, Dimitrov managed to seal the win on his third match point after a Nishioka forehand drifted out.
“I felt I was actually hitting the ball quite all right for our first match of the year… There [were] a few things that I would like to maybe improve in the next match, but overall I think it’s off to a positive start,” Dimitrov told atpworldtour.com.
In his first test of the 2019 season, Dimitrov hit 26 unforced errors alongside 26 winners. Winning 57% of his first service points and crucially saving six out of the seven break points he faced.
Helping guide the 27-year-old on the tour this season will be former world No.1 Andre Agassi. The two will work together in partnership with Dimitrov’s full-time coach Dani Vallverdu. A setup that has been hailed by the world No.19.
“We are all very happy in the team that Andre is with us.” Dimitrov said during his on-court interview. “He’s more than a friend to me, it’s a special relationship.”
“There is just a huge appreciation and I am very humbled to have him by my side. Hopefully things will go well on the court for us.”
Dimitrov is hoping to get back on track after what was a lacklustre 2018 season. In his last five tournaments of the year, he failed to win back-to-back matches at all of them. That trend will end in Brisbane this week if he wins his second round match. Dimitrov will next take on either Tennys Sandgren or John Millman.
Raonic impresses
Elsewhere at the Queensland Tennis Centre, Milos Raonic powered his way to a 6-0, 6-3, win over Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene. The 2016 champion produced a total of 16 aces and dropped only six points behind his serve. Producing a 15-point winning streak during one stage of the match.
“It was a great start for me, a great way to finish off 2018 and hopefully it will lead to better things in 2019.” Said Raonic.
“I hope I can continue to play some good tennis, continue to improve like I have over the last couple of weeks and stay strong and fit to give myself the best chance on court.”
Raonic will play either Serbian qualifier Miomir Kecmanović or Leonardo Mayer in the next round.
