Dimitrov changing gears for summit ride

GRIGOR Dimitrov says his ability to change gears in his crunch win over Nick Kyrgios has given him the impetus to go even further at this year’s Australian Open.

The Bulgarian world No 3 admits he was struggling in the early rounds but he was outstanding in a high quality four-set win over the mercurial Australian before a roaring full house on Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.

Dimitrov, yet to go beyond the semi-finals at a Grand Slam, has a quarter-final with British 49thranked Kyle Edmund today and a potential semi-final with 16-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.

He said what came out of his high-pressure win over Kyrgios was his ability to up gears through a major tournament.

“I learned that I can switch to another gear when I really need it,” Dimitrov said.

“The first three rounds I was not striking the ball well. I know that, but I was still clutch (able to succeed) on the important moments, which was good.”

Dimitrov, under Andy Murray’s former coach Dani Vailverdu, said he was able to raise his level against the unpredictable Kyrgios.

Dimitrov lost to Nadal over five sets in last year’s semi-final and he is heading in the same direction again this year.

Dimitrov said he now planned to just “live in the moment.”

“You never know how many times you’re going to be able to come out on Rod Laver Arena and just play,” he said.

“That itself gives me the motivation and that kind of kick, hey, man, like, you’re here now. Just play.” AFP