Australian Open: Grigor Dimitrov nails Nick Kyrgios to the wall
To win three tiebreakers against a player who serves like Nick Kyrgios is phenomenal, yet Grigor Dimitrov did just that.
Shortly before Grigor Dimitrov took to Rod Laver Arena for his sensational performance against Nick Kyrgios, he was pictured staring intently at a white wall.
The Bulgarian was deep in concentration, his gaze unbroken. Then, abruptly, he turned on a dime and dashed like a startled gazelle up an internal corridor.
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And for much of a sublime display that culminated in a 7-6 (3) 7-6 (4) 4-6 7-6 (4) victory over the Australian, a blip when serving for the match aside, he epitomised those attributes.
To win three tiebreakers against a player who boasts a serve as exceptional as Kyrgios is phenomenal, yet that is what the Bulgarian managed in a clash of the highest quality and intensity.
Dimitrov proved as close to a human brick wall as one could imagine for much of the opening two sets, in part due to the supremacy of his speed and movement around the court.
“Playing against Nick is always tricky,” he said.
“Two weeks ago I lost against him (in Brisbane). He was serving unbelievable, playing unbelievable.
“He fought really hard and it is one of those matches where you have to be locked in and take every opportunity you can get. He was playing very well and I am glad to get through that match.”
At times, Kyrgios has decried the sport. But the occasion clearly excited him and although beaten, this rates among his finest performances.
Midway through the day, he declared “This is what it’s about”. There is no doubt about that.
And although beaten in a thriller, it is hard to believe he will not be challenging for major titles in the future should he maintain his current mindset.
Regardless of Kyrgios’ weaponry — and it was in full display last night — he was unable to properly shake the Bulgarian’s nerve nor rattle his form.
Dimitrov is now delivering on a consistent basis the calibre of tennis long expected of him when he shaped as an heir to the current crop of champions.
And, as a result, it is the 17th seeded Australian who was rolled from the tournament despite producing a performance of the highest order.
No point better demonstrated Dimitrov’s reaction speed and class than on the point that gave him a two-set lead.
Perhaps in frustration and despair, and no doubt as a Hail Mary, the Canberran lashed out at a forehand return with every fibre of his being. The result was sizzling.
It should have been unplayable. Dimitrov scarcely had time to blink, let alone flinch.
Yet the ball returned. Kyrgios truly must have pondered whether he was playing a wall. He was frustrated with his support crew, directing a diatribe in their direction over an apparent error in the tension his racquets had been strung at and later verbalising them for failing to stand up quickly enough in support after a point.
So, too, was his angst apparent with the umpire when he was foot-faulted late in the second set and early in the third.
Somehow, though, he escaped sanction for repeated audible obscenities. But there could be no criticism of the quality of his play, nor his courage as he made repeated efforts to fight his way back into the match.
The anxiety was apparent in the stands. The Bulgarian’s coach, Dani Vallverdu, was upset that Kyrgios avoided a code violation for sending a ball into the stands.
And the Australian’s team endured quite the workout themselves given the amount they bounced to their feet, sometimes at his imploring.
A 34th ace for the night saved one break point for Kyrgios, who was clearly on edge. And then he netted a bounce smash to gift Dimitrov an opportunity to serve for the match.
Suddenly the Bulgarian, who had been nerveless, tightened up, with a double-fault allowing the Australian back into it.
But in the tiebreaker his poise and brilliance returned, the last winner portraying these traits perfectly.
It ends a successful summer for the Australian, who claimed a title on home soil for the first time when successful in the Brisbane International.
He leaves Melbourne with his ranking sitting at 14 on live rankings, just one spot below a career high.
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