Grigor Dimitrov ended 2023 in fine form; he started 2024 in similar fashion.
Dimitrov, who comes into the new season at No. 14 in the world, survived a marquee Brisbane International first-round matchup with Andy Murray by prevailing 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 on Monday night. Murray was two games away from advancing after he broke back with Dimitrov serving at 5-4 in the second set, but the Bulgarian eventually pulled away after two hours and 25 minutes.
After getting another break at 5-5, Dimitrov saved two break points in the following game and held to force a decider. The 32-year-old broke at love to begin the third, surged to a quick 4-0 advantage, and never looked back. He clinched victory with his 13th ace at 5-2, ad-out.
“Here we go, kicking off a new year,” Dimitrov said afterward. “I had to keep on fighting; I had to keep on finding my shots and going after my game. I had to keep on believing in the work that I’ve put in. I just really want to enjoy every single time that I get out here and I don’t take it for granted.”
First-round action in Brisbane wraps up on Tuesday, when Rafael Nadal begins his comeback with a blockbuster matchup against Dominic Thiem.
nice one, Dimi
If Dimitrov takes care of his mental state, everything else should fall into place. It’s always been his Achilles heel.
He needs to make smarter decisions. Some of his decision making is not very good.
He had a short ball that he could’ve easily held a bit longer and gone back behind Murray and he hit it straight back at Murray and Murray nearly made the volley.
That’s not even B=-grade level. B-grade players know how to hold their shots and go the right way in those situations.
He was up 0:40 on Murray’s serve and lost 3 points in the row.
So its not all rosy. There’s lots of work to be done if he wants to beat the top players.
As spectators, its annoying to see professionals make poor decisions like that. if you cant do it for yourself, at least do it for the spectators that pay money to watch you.
Its early in the season. Give him a break