If one ventures to compile a list of active players to have never reached a Grand Slam final, the name Grigor Dimitrov would in all likelihood stand out. The 28-year-old Bulgarian has two semifinal appearances to his name, at Wimbledon 2014 and the Australian Open in 2017. While the semifinal appearance in 2014 signaled great things to come, it also made him a definite contender to break the Big Three hegemony. The 2017 Australian Open reaffirmed the faith that Dimitrov should be a serious contender in any Major.
2017 would surely be considered Dimitrov’s best year on tour, winning in Cincinnati and the ATP Tour Finals. However, the grand success many believed Dimitrov was destined for is still eluding him.
Struggles in 2019
2019 has been an extremely tough year for Dimitrov. His win-loss record stands at 13-15 with no final appearances to show for. His ATP ranking has dropped to #78, and for a player of Dimitrov’s caliber, that ranking does him no justice.
Grand Slam results since his magnificent run in Melbourne 2017 have been below par. A solitary quarterfinal appearance in Melbourne 2018 is his best result since. At the recently concluded Wimbledon, he bowed out in the first round to qualifier Corentin Moutet after being up two sets to love.
To be fair to the man from Haskovo, a shoulder injury earlier this year derailed his season and has struggled to play his best tennis since. It’s been a case of target=”_blank”too many near misses for the former World No. 3, “That’s the hardest thing when you just fall short, it’s simple as that. I think this year there’s been a lot of those matches that I had an opportunity, I was there on so many occasions up a set, up two sets to love, set point, match point, I can’t even count it anymore.”
US Open 2019
Every new tournament provides a fresh opportunity to garner form and fame, and Dimitrov certainly looks hungry to turn his fortunes around. The Bulgarian posted great numbers on serve and looked his vintage self at times while dispatching Andreas Seppi in four sets, 6-1 6-7(2) 6-4 6-3.
For any player seeking to recapture form, every win is of paramount importance. A win over Borna Coric would’ve boosted his confidence but unfortunately, the Croat had to withdraw with a lower back strain. It’s a favorable draw for Dimitrov to make a good run and reclaim some of the sparkling form he’s been long searching for.
With Stan Wawrinka in a different quarter, the draw gods showered some mercy on Dimitrov. It’s also a tad unfair to expect the Bulgarian to go all the way, but maybe he can show once again what his prodigal talent is capable of.
Main Photo from Getty.
