Daniil Medvedev faced a tough challenge as he took on Grigor Dimitrov in the second round of the Rolex Paris Masters. After a grueling battle lasting nearly three hours, the Russian player succumbed to Dimitrov, who was in excellent form. The match ended with a score of 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, with Dimitrov winning on his 7th match point. In the next round, Dimitrov will face Alexander Bublik.
Dimitrov’s victory was well-deserved. He displayed tactical awareness and agility throughout the match, which ultimately paid off as he defeated the world number 3. The game could have taken a cruel turn for Dimitrov, as he was leading 5-2 in the deciding set but allowed Medvedev to catch up. Despite missing four match points, including a 47-shot rally, Dimitrov remained composed. He had two more opportunities to close out the match but finally seized his 7th chance in the tie-break to secure the win at the net.
Dimitrov demonstrated mental resilience, an aspect in which he has often struggled in the past. However, it would be unfair to attribute his performance solely to his mental strength. The Bulgarian showcased his brilliant tennis skills, using his sliced backhand to vary the length and direction of his shots. He also effectively changed the pace of the game to shorten the points. It was no surprise that he led 6-3 after breaking Medvedev twice, even though the Russian player had initially fought back from 3-0 to 3-2.
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