Dimitrov thrashes Goffin to reach semis
Thiem beats Carreno Busta in other match of Pete Sampras group
Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov raced into the semifinals of the ATP Finals with a 6-0, 6-2 demolition of David Goffin on Wednesday.
Dimitrov has never quite lived up to his billing as the heir to Roger Federer’s throne, but the world No.6’s eyecatching rout of Goffin was a reminder that he is still young and gifted enough to finally make the breakthrough.
The 26-year-old unloaded 18 winners to dismiss the Belgian world No.8 at London’s O2 Arena and seal his spot in the last four with one match to play.
In the day’s other Pete Sampras group match, Austrian fourth seed Dominic Thiem beat Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to remain in the hunt for a semifinal berth.
Dimitrov, who defeated Thiem in three sets in his group opener, has already made history as the first Bulgarian to qualify for the season-ending Tour finals.
And while Federer remains the title favorite following Rafael Nadal’s injury withdrawal, Dimitrov will fancy his chances of becoming the first debutant winner since Alex Corretja in 1998.
“You get a few days out of the year that whatever you touch turns to gold and that was the first set,” Dimitrov said.
“It’s a special win for me. My goal was to reach the weekend.”
Goffin, another first-time Tour Finals qualifier, had made a flying start with his dramatic three-set victory over Nadal on Monday.
But that victory was slightly devalued as the world No.1, who was struggling with a knee injury, pulled out of the tournament after the match.
Now Goffin faces Thiem in their final group match with a semifinal place awaiting the winner.
“It was not easy for me to lose my serve at the start. It was tough for my confidence after that,” Goffin said.
World No.2 Federer, aiming for his seventh Tour Finals title, has already qualified for the last four from Boris Becker group after winning his first two matches.