ATP Paris: Grigor Dimitrov edges Stefanos Tsitsipas. Is this his year?

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32-year-old Grigor Dimitrov will compete in his first Masters 1000 final since Cincinnati 2017 at the Paris Masters. Grigor will seek his second title at this level against Andrey Rublev or Novak Djokovic, chasing his first ATP crown since the 2017 ATP Finals! Grigor met Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-final and produced a tight 6-3, 6-7, 7-6 triumph in two hours and 31 minutes. There were no breaks in sets two and three, and the Bulgarian prevailed in the deciding tie break to secure a spot in the title clash. Grigor claimed 11 points more than Stefanos, playing better behind the first and second serve and defending all four break chances in one loose service game. The Greek lost serve once in the opener, protecting the other four break points and staying neck and neck in the last two sets. Grigor tamed his strokes beautifully, landing 38 winners and 22 unforced errors, dominating with his forehand and playing flawless tennis at the net.

Grigor Dimitrov defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets at the Paris Masters. 

Stefanos hit 29 winners and 39 mistakes, standing slightly behind his rival in the shortest and more extended rallies to end his campaign in the semi-final. Dimitrov made a flying start, breaking in game two after Tsitsipas' loose forehand and forging a 3-0 advantage with a fine hold. They served well in the next four games, and Stefanos needed another good hold at 2-5. He denied two set points and brought the game home to extend the action. Grigor served for the set at 5-3 and held at 15, sealing the first part of the duel in 38 minutes. Both players served well at the beginning of the second set, reaching 4-4 and staying neck and neck.

Tsitsipas saved two break points in the ninth game and produced a vital hold that kept him in touch. The set went into a tie break, and the Greek presented his best tennis. He gained a 6-0 advantage with three mini-breaks and claimed the breaker 7-1 after Dimitrov's wild forehand, forcing a decider after 100 minutes. Grigor played his only loose service game at 1-1 in the decider, facing four break points. He denied them with bold hitting and produced a crucial hold. The servers were too strong in the rest of the set, introducing a deciding tie break. Stefanos netted a routine volley in the second point and placed a forehand wide in the next one to fall 3-0 behind. Grigor cracked a powerful backhand crosscourt winner for 5-0 and repeated that at 6-3 to emerge at the top and move into the title clash. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/Q2bNVp5

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