TENNIS WIMBLEDON 2014 – Grigor Dimitrov is steadily making a name for himself on tour as a future contender for major titles. He got to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open early this year but was dismissed in the 1st round of the French Open several weeks ago. However, he comes into Wimbledon with a lot of confidence. Cordell Hackshaw
Results, Order of Play, Draws and Interviews from The Championships
Grigor Dimitrov (11) is steadily making a name for himself on tour as a future contender for major titles. He got to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open early this year but was dismissed in the 1st round of the French Open several weeks ago. However, he comes into Wimbledon with a lot of confidence. He won the Queen’s Club tournament saving match point against Feliciano Lopez and given a higher seeding of 11 compared to his current ranking of 13th in the world. The Wimbledon committee bestowed further gifts upon to Dimitrov by giving him a Centre Court billing for his 2nd round match against Australian Luke Saville. “I just want to say how honored I was to play on the Centre Court. I think it’s every kid’s dream. I was just really happy to get out there and play a match like that,” Dimitrov said after the match. The Bulgarian did not waste this golden opportunity as he dispatched Saville in straight sets, 6-3 6-2 6-4. Dimitrov is now through to his first 3rd round appearance at Wimbledon.
Both Dimitrov and Saville started off matters on rather even terms though Dimitrov always looked to be pressing the issue for an early break advantage. The Bulgarian regarded no return game a lost cause as several times despite facing game points, he would raise his level and put pressure on the Saville service games. In the 6th game of 1st set, Dimitrov efforts paid off as he came back from a 30-0 hole to break Saville when the Australian’s forehand went long. Dimitrov held serve saving break point along the way for a 5-2 lead. Saville did all he could to hold serve and force Dimitrov to serve it out at 5-3. Dimitrov showed no signs of tension as he unleashed four monster serves including two aces to take the set 6-3 in 30 minutes. Dimitrov remained offensive in the 2nd set as he broke Saville in the opening game and again in the 5th game to jump ahead 5-1. Saville again held serve, forcing Dimitrov to serve it out. Dimitrov showed fine form as he closed out the set 6-2 for a 2-0 sets lead.
Saville was able to keep matters competitive in the early part of the 3rd set as they both remained on serve for 3-3. However, in the 7th game of the set, Saville was unable to execute the serve and volley play to give Dimitrov another chance to break him. Saville then double faulted to hand Dimitrov a 4-3 advantage. Dimitrov quickly held serve for 5-3 and put pressure back on Saville to serve to stay alive. Saville held but he was unable to make any impact into the Dimitrov serve as the Bulgarian served for the match 5-4. Dimitrov unleashed a huge serve which Saville could not keep in play and took the match 6-3 6-2 6-4 in just over an hour and a half.
After the match, Dimitrov had this to say of his efforts, “[A] convincing win. I was just trying to be solid and well composed on the court. I think it was all about my game today. Felt comfortable” He was very comfortable indeed and the numbers reflected as such. Dimitrov won 90% of his 1st serve points (43/48), 61% on his 2nd serve, 38 winners including 11 aces and 16 errors. He was 19/22 on points won at net and was winning 41% of the return points. These are very good numbers especially for a player at this level. Dimitrov will next play Alexandr Dolgopolov (21) for a place in the Round of 16.
