Grigor Dimitrov didn’t have a fantastic 2018, and he really wants to turn the table in 2019.
Currently ranked no.19, the Bulgarian sensation looks 100% determined to have a deep run immediately in his first tournament of the year in Brisbane, and the start was quite convincing.
Grigor was opposed in the first round to Yoshihito Nishioka whose rank (75) doesn’t reflect the value of the Japanese that was sidelined for long after he got a knee injury back in 2017.
The Match
After struggling to hold his first 2 service games, the Bulgarian found his range to conquer the decisive break of the 1st set in the 4th game (3-1) before wrapping up the opener 6-3.
Dimitrov was in full control in the second set to win 4 consecutive games and reverse a 1-2 scoreline into a 5-2 lead. Later Grigor was broken in the 8th game (5-3) after becoming a bit too relaxed (but Nishioka also played a couple of good rallies). Later on, Grigor wrapped up the match on serve after converting his 3rd match point. The final score was 6-3 6-4, and the encounter ended after 79 minutes.
Grigor will face either John Millman (world no.38) or Tennys Sandgren (61).
MATCH.
He was made to work for it, but Dimitrov takes care of business. 💪#BrisbaneTennis #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/rCSqIpVrlH
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) December 31, 2018
GREAT START
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