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Feb/13

15

Dimitrov Is Ready To Shine


He’s 21 now, ranked #41. Grigor Dimitrov has had a typically up and down year. Finals of Brisbane (lost to Murray), three first round exits in straight sets (Zagreb to Dr. Ivo, Australian to Benneteau, Sydney to Fognini), two Davis Cup wins last week against Finland in Bulgaria. This week in Amsterdam, Dimitrov has defeated Tomic, Davydenko and Bagdhatis today to reach the SF. If he can beat (probably) Delpo in the semi he could face (most likely) Federer in the final.

Dimitrov is off to a 9-4 record overall so far this year. He is now coached by the Sweden-based trio of Mikael Tillstrom, Magnus Norman and Niklas Kulti based out of the “Good To Great Academy.”

Could this be the point of time G-Force breaks out of the middle of the pack to establish himself as a bona fide ATP star?

10 comments

  • Dan Markowitz · February 15, 2013 at 1:30 pm

    Scoop,

    I was just thinking that of Raonic, Tomic and Dmitrov, I like the Bulgarian to be the first one to win a slam and be the dominant player. He plays a beautiful game, moves extremely well and I like his angles and down the lines. He breaks into Top 40 now and he is silky smooth.

    What can you say about Harrison? Apparently, he was sick this week in San Jose, but to lose to Benjamin Becker is not a good sign. I don’t think the guy knows how he wants to play and he’s clearly dropped back behind the other Young Guns.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 15, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    The more I see Dimitrov the more I like his game. Just so aesthetic, really I find it about as nice as Federer to watch. If this guy ever connects all the dots like Fed finally did in his early 20’s, he could become a major force. The more I see him the more I believe he will. He is very naturally similar to Roger but also seems a little bit scrappier, he played some great defense today vs. Bag. BTW this is the second time this year he’s beaten Bag in a tough 3 setter. Delpo will be a test for him. I think he’s ready to beat Delpo.

  • Steve · February 15, 2013 at 3:40 pm

    Would be nice but I fear visions of Gulbis who reached #21 in the world.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 15, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    Steve, Dimitrov seems more dedicated to tennis and wants it more. I have seen him show incredible passion and joy after winning (in Miami last year) which indicate he really REALLY wants and needs to win. Gulbis just does not give off those vibes, to that extent. He’s more of a guy who just plays, with a lot of talent but an ordinary desire. Gulbis looked great in the first set vs. Delpo he almost won it. Even if he won that match, he likely would have lost today to Jarkko. We’ll learn a lot tomorrow with Dimitrov vs. Delpo.

  • Steve · February 16, 2013 at 10:32 am

    Delpo vs. Dimitrov was a very good match. Confidence and belief were a factor. Shakey drop shots & overheads hit directly back to your opponent seemed to show a slight lack of belief. A couple of big wins I’m sure will fix this.

    The youngsters’ forays into net were enjoyable but seemed like kamikaze missions. I can’t blame him with the power of Delpo’s passing shots zipping by.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 16, 2013 at 7:10 pm

    Delpo is a tough guy to attack the net on, Dimitrov is in striking distance of knocking off Delpo in a match. I think Dimitrov will win a major before Roger too. It’s just a matter of time for Dimitrov.

  • Steve · February 16, 2013 at 9:27 pm

    Are you switching from the Tomic horse to babyFed?

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 17, 2013 at 7:15 am

    No not at all, I like them both a lot. Think they both can be #1 someday, won’t be easy but it’s possible.

  • Andrew Miller · February 22, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    You never know. As a fan I would be glad to see Dimitrov break into the top echelon. I think the vulnerable players in the top ten are Tsonga and Tipsy, and it’s not much of a stretch to say that a player like Dimitrov if he catches fire could find his way there too.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 22, 2013 at 6:04 pm

    Tsonga saved 5 MPs to stave off Tomic today. Tomic is on the verge…

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