The penultimate match on the new Staduim court in Acapulco featured favorite Grigor Dimitrov and Lucky Loser Stefan Kozlov. It was the first meeting between the two, and boy was it a dandy.
Kozlov took the first set 7-6 (8) in 1 hour and 21 minutes. The American was blocking all of Dimitrov’s balls back into play, forcing the Bulgarian to hit two/three extra shots per point. Dimitrov was clearly frustrated.
After breaking the Dimitrov serve at 4-3 in the second set, Stefan Kozlov’s legs locked up and he collapsed to the ground. He was massively cramping.
The trainers came out and did what they could (which by rule isn’t much, but Kozlov, whose game relies on movement, could not move. He dropped the last four games of the set.
Absolutely crazy scenes in Acapulco, and @GrigorDimitrov never forgets how to be a great sport.
AMAZING – and we hope Stefan Kozlov is okay. 👏#AMT2022 pic.twitter.com/ZFtoF2lllA
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 22, 2022
As tournament officials brought in a wheelchair to take Kozlov off the court before the third set, announcers on Tennis TV cited that the American had been stranded at sea earlier in the day and had to tread water for 20 minutes until help came.
They just said on Tennis Channel that Kozlov was in a waverunner accident earlier today. Are you serious??? Lmfao
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) February 22, 2022
Despite the terrible cramps just 15 minutes before, Kozlov took the court for the final set. He battled, coming up with some incredible return of serves that eventually led him to a 6-3 set victory.
All of it. https://t.co/EflfSAnosd pic.twitter.com/Lfrwt4stIE
— Mike Cation (@MikeCTennis) February 22, 2022
Kozlov showed incredible fight on his way to the best win of his young career. The 7-6 (8) 5-7 6-3 marathon is the longest match in Acapulco history at three hours and 21 minutes.
Stefan Kozlov, who will certainly now become a fan favorite, will take on the winner of Rafael Nadal and Denis Kudla in Round 2.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
