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Grigor Dimitrov reached his first ATP final in Brisbane 2013. Eleven years later, the Bulgarian remains competitive at the ATP 250 event, moving into his third Brisbane final. Grigor faced Jordan Thompson in the semi-final and scored a 6-3, 7-5 victory in an hour and 49 minutes, advancing into his 18th ATP final.
Dimitrov missed the title matches for over five years before finding his form last spring, reaching three since May. Thompson denied three match points against Rafael Nadal a day ago, preserving energy after battling for three and a half hours and giving his everything against Dimitrov.
The Bulgarian prevailed in the pivotal moments, defending all six break points and breaking the Aussie's serve once in each set, setting the title clash against Holger Rune. Dimitrov had the upper hand in the shortest and most extended rallies, taming his strokes nicely and hoping for more in Sunday's final.
Grigor hit the zone in his games right from the start, producing one good hold after another and keeping the pressure on the other side.
Grigor Dimitrov defeated Jordan Thompson in straight sets in Brisbane.
Thompson faced a break point in the encounter's fourth game and denied it with a booming serve, holding for 2-2.
The Bulgarian moved 3-2 in front with a booming serve and broke at 15 in the next one after forcing the Aussie's mistake with a deep return. Grigor cemented the lead with an ace in game seven, doing everything right and opening a 5-2 gap.
The Bulgarian served for the set at 5-3 and faced a break point. He denied it with a forehand attack and seized a set point with an ace for 6-3 after 43 minutes. Jordan saved two break points in the second set's third game and held with a booming serve for 2-1.
Grigor faced the ultimate challenge in the sixth game, playing against four break points. Dimitrov denied the opening three with crafty winners and canceled the fourth with an unreturned serve.
World no. 14 held after the rival's mistake, leveling the score at 3-3. Jordan played better in those moments, earning another break chance in game eight. Grigor denied it with a powerful serve and a forehand winner, holding for 4-4.
Thompson received a medical timeout on his left thigh after the ninth game, and Dimitrov grabbed the tenth game with a service winner for 5-5. The Bulgarian pushed strong on the return in the 11th game, cracking a backhand down the line winner and forging a 6-5 advantage.
Grigor served for the victory in the 12th game and held at love for another rock-solid victory and a place in the final.