An artwork painted by two. The first semi-final of the Rolex Paris Masters promised a duel between one-handed backhand aesthetes, and it lived up to expectations. On Saturday, Grigor Dimitrov triumphed over Stefanos Tsitsipas in a thrilling three-set match (6-3, 6-7, 7-6) that lasted just over two and a half hours (precisely 2 hours and 32 minutes). This match showcased exceptional quality and marked the Bulgarian’s first appearance in the Bercy final, his second in a Masters 1000 tournament after Cincinnati in 2017. He will face either Novak Djokovic or Andrey Rublev in the final.
With a perfectly executed cross-court backhand passing shot, Dimitrov concluded his symphony of play. Building on his outstanding performances earlier in the week against Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Bublik, and Hubert Hurkacz, Dimitrov shone once again. To the delight of the Parisian crowd, Tsitsipas rose to the challenge and improved his game after a difficult start. After exchanging blows in a third set, the 17th-ranked player ultimately triumphed in impressive fashion, showcasing his mental strength.
This victory was particularly impressive considering Dimitrov’s previous struggles in crucial moments. He started the match in dominant fashion, breaking Tsitsipas early on (as he did against Bublik and Hurkacz). The Bulgarian’s tactical precision allowed him to gain control of the match. He surprised Tsitsipas with his acceleration along the backhand line, exploiting the Greek’s tendency to overly protect his vulnerable backhand side. However, Dimitrov failed to convert one of his two break point opportunities at 4-4 in the second set, leaving him vulnerable.
Despite his impeccable performance up until that point, Dimitrov faltered in the tie-break, which Tsitsipas quickly won 7-1, fortunate to level the match. Tsitsipas then had an opportunity to take an early lead in the third set, earning four break points at 1-1. However, Dimitrov showcased exceptional skills to fend them off one by one: a magnificent winning backhand down the line, a well-controlled topspin volley, and quality first serves kept him afloat. Both players remained flawless on their service games until the decisive final tie-break.
Dimitrov displayed superior prowess in the backhand diagonal, both in slice and in his ability to change the pace. He was also exceptional at the net, winning 24 out of 26 points (a 92% success rate). He ended the match with a spectacular display: after losing the first six points in the second set tie-break, he claimed the first five points of the third set tie-break, showcasing magical passing shots. Tsitsipas can hold his head high as he consistently took the ball early and executed successfully at the net. However, this week at Bercy, Dimitrov seems possessed. He now has one final effort left to conclude his season in the most remarkable fashion.
