Grigor Dimitrov running his ‘own race’ after confirming top 10 return
Grigor Dimitrov will return to the ATP top 10 on Monday, after surviving ‘a dogfight’ against Alexander Zverev to progress to his first Miami Open final.
Dimitrov beat the fourth seed, 6-4 6(4)-7 6-4, to reach his third Masters 1000 final and the Bulgarian reflected on the semi-final win after the match.
“It was like a dogfight on both ends,” claimed Dimitrov. “I think we really went at each other, especially after that first set, I felt like he upped his game a little bit and he was very, very strong throughout the whole second set and even in the tie-break. He was constantly putting a lot of pressure on me.”
The world No.12 continued, “And then in the third set, he had one [break] chance. I served good and then I stayed and I kept on going after my shots. I think in the end, I played with a little bit more authority and was moving the ball very well.”
As a result of reaching the final in Miami, Dimitrov has confirmed his return to the ATP top 10 rankings after a six year hiatus.
And the 32-year-old revealed what he is doing differently to rediscover form at the biggest events, “I fight my own battles right now. I run my own race. I think all that comes with all the work that we have put in as a team. I’m on a very different path in my life, in my career.
“There’s a lot that was done, a lot of work, a lot of everything behind it. I kept on believing, I kept on thriving, I kept on having faith in myself. This is just the cherry on the cake.”
Iconic ????@Grigor_Dimitrov @serenawilliams #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/ITm24EElfG
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 30, 2024
Dimitrov will look to win his second Masters 1000 title tomorrow, when he takes on reigning Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner.
Inside the baseline…
It has been a phenomenal fortnight for Grigor Dimitrov, who had lost his last seven meeting against Alexander Zverev prior to their semi-final yesterday. Not only has Dimitrov overcome two top five ranked opponents in back-to-back matches against Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz, but was also only two points away from defeat in his opening match in Miami. The Bulgarian will be the underdog in the final against Jannik Sinner tomorrow, but Dimitrov has proven that he will certainly be no pushover.
READ MORE: Jannik Sinner claims he is ‘a different player’ after thrashing Daniil Medvedev
