Google News
Grigor Dimitrov competed in Brisbane as one of the title favorites. The 2017 champion secured his second title at the Queensland Tennis Centre following a 7-6, 6-4 triumph over the top seed Holger Rune. Two rivals battled for two hours and 16 minutes, and the more experienced one claimed the pivotal points.
Thus, Grigor sealed the deal in straight sets and lifted his ninth ATP title, the first in over six years! Dimitrov served at 70% and outplayed Rune behind the second serve. The Bulgarian defended all three break chances and kept the pressure on the Dane, who played against nine break points.
Holger did a fine job by saving eight, losing a tight opener and ending his hopes after getting broken once in set number two. Grigor grabbed seven points more than Holger, building a slight edge in the shortest and most advanced exchanges.
The 2017 champion made a slow start and sprayed a forehand in the encounter's first game, offering the young gun two break points.
Grigor Dimitrov lifted his first ATP title since the 2017 ATP Finals.
Grigor stayed calm, saving them and bringing the game home with a service winner.
Rune denied a break point in the fourth game and landed an ace to lock the result at 2-2. The top seed played another challenging game at 2-3, with Dimitrov earning a break chance with a forehand down the line winner. The Dane erased it with a booming serve, and the Bulgarian extended the game with another powerful forehand winner.
Holger stayed calm and closed the game with a forehand winner for 3-3 after half an hour. Grigor experienced a break point in game seven, attacking and saving it with a smash winner at the net. There were no more chances for the returners in the remaining games, with Rune arranging a tie break after an hour with a fine hold in game 12.
Holger dropped two points on serve and fell 3-0 behind after a loose forehand. Grigor fired an ace at 4-3 and created three set points after Holger's loose backhand.
The Dane denied the first two on his serve before the Bulgarian seized the third with a smash winner at the net after an hour and nine minutes.
The second set's third game lasted over 17 minutes, and it saw nine deuces and three break points for Dimitrov. Rune denied them and brought the game home with a forehand crosscourt winner that kept him on the positive side.
Grigor served well in games four and six and created more break chances at 3-3. Holger missed a forehand, falling behind and spraying a backhand error in the next one, propelling Grigor 5-3 in front. The young gun faced two match points on serve in the ninth game.
He saved them with a cracking volley winner and a forehand down the line winner, holding for 4-5. Dimitrov served for the title in game ten and sealed the deal with a crafty backhand volley winner, celebrating his first ATP title in over six years.