Fantastic stuff in Melbourne from Grigor Dimitrov.

The world no.3 edged home favorite Nick Kyrgios after 4 fantastic sets.

The match

Grigor Dimitrov was leading Nick Kyrgios 2-1 in head to head matches before this clash, but the Australian has recently defeated the Bulgarian in Brisbane, and he could rely on the strong support of the public.

The first set went straight to the breaker that the world no.3 won at 3. There was a bit of a drama in the second set. In fact, after Dimitrov broke Kyrgios in the 7th game (4-3), but he was unable to serve out the set when leading 5-4. Eventually, he found the solution once more in the following breaker.  (2 sets up for Dimitrov)

Nick managed to break Dimitrov in the 5th game of the 3rd set to win the set 6-4. (2-1 Dimitrov)

The real drama unfolded in the 4th set. In fact, Nick was broken again in the 8th game (5-3), but Dimitrov played a horrible tennis soon after to lose his service game (5-4) when he was supposed to win the set. That put Nick and the crowd on fire, and the set went once more to the break, and it was once again the Bulgarian to find the solution to win the contest 7-6 (3) 7-6 (4), 4-6 7-6 (4). Eventually, the world no.3 scored just 1 point more than Kyrgios (157-156) that blasted 36 aces.

I am just glad to get through. DIMITROV

Soon after the match, during the on-court interview, Grigor commented

“Playing against Nick is always tricky, two weeks ago I lost against him. He was serving unbelievably, playing unbelievably. He fought really hard, and it’s one of those matches you have to take any opportunity you have.

Even serving for the match, I felt it wasn’t over. I am just glad to get through that match.”

The quarters vs. Edmund

Nick will face Kyle Edmund in the quarters. The head to head is 2-0 for Dimitrov that has recently defeated Edmund in the quarters in Brisbane.