The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Dimitrov does it in style
Tennis: BulgariandefeatsGoffintoclaimATPFinalstriumphinLondon
Grigor Dimitrov claimed the biggest title of his career last night by edging a three-set thriller with David Goffin to win the ATP Finals in London.
For years Dimitrov has struggled to deliver on his supreme technical talent but the Bulgarian may finally be living up to the hype after he beat Goffin 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 at The O2.
Fans may have hoped for a rerun here of Roger Federer versus Rafael Nadal, the veteran grandees who dominated the sport in 2017, but Dimitrov and Goffin offered an enthralling finale and perhaps a glimpse of the future.
Dimitrov becomes the first ATP Finals debutant since Alex Corretja in 1998 to lift the trophy and it was the first time in the compe- tition’s 47-year history that two first-timers had made the final.
After the last point, he dropped face down, flat on the court before embracing his team and coach Daniel Vallverdu, who was once in charge of a young Andy Murray.
“It has been a tremendous two weeks for me,” Dimitrov said. “It’s such an honour to play here. This week has been one of the best I’ve ever had.”
Both aged 26, Dimitrov and Goffin are hardly fledglings on the tour but there is still time for each to enjoy greater success at major tournaments. Goffin has never gone further than the last eight at a grand slam while Dimitrov’s best is two semi-finals.
Dimitrov, in particular, looks now to be a leading contender behind Nadal and Federer, and he will rise to world number three when the rankings update on Monday.
He also pockets the champion’s cheque for
“Thisweek hasbeenone ofthebest I’veeverhad”
£ 910,000 to take his total haul for the week to £1.93million.
Goffin beat both Nadal, who was hampered by injury, and Federer en route to the final. The Belgian will head into next week’s Davis Cup final against France brimming with confidence.
David Beckham and Sir Patrick Stewart were among a 17,800 capacity crowd, who were treated to another pulsating encounter in keeping with this year’s matches.
For all the star absentees including Murray, Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka and, from day two onwards, Nadal, 11 of the 15 singles matches went to deciding sets.