Dimitrov ensures he misses Fed semi

GRIGOR Dimitrov thrashed David Goffin to sail into the ATP Finals knockout stages and ensure he steers clear of Roger Federer in the last four.

Goffin had beaten an injuryaffected Rafael Nadal in his opener on Monday but the Belgian was handed a lesson at London’s O2 Arena by an inspired Dimitrov display.

The match threatened to turn embarrassing when Dimitrov led 6-0 3-0 and while Goffin did finally get on the board, he could not stop the Bulgarian sealing a 6-0 6-2 victory.

The result means Dimitrov not only seals qualification from his group but will go through top, meaning he avoids Federer in Saturday’s semi-final. Federer is also guaranteed to go through his own pool first.

Goffin, wearing strapping around his knee, may not have been fully fit and he must now beat Austria’s Dominic Thiem on Friday to keep his own hopes of progress alive.

An improved performance against Thiem would also seem important for confidence given Goffin will spearhead his country’s charge in the Davis Cup final against France next week.

Dimitrov, however, long touted as a potential challenger to the game’s established elite, showed here what all the fuss is about and, on this form, could yet challenge Federer for the title this weekend.

“You get a few days in the year that whatever you touch turns into gold,” he said.

“That was the first set today for sure. You have days like that, I work for those days.”