Troicki To Face Dimitrov In Sydney Final

Third seed Viktor Troicki will attempt to retain his Apia International Sydney crown when he faces fourth seed Grigor Dimitrov in Saturday’s final.

With rain forcing a premature end to Thursday’s proceedings, both Troicki and Dimitrov played twice on Friday, finishing their quarter-final clashes before taking to the court in the semi-finals.

“I really like [Sydney],” said Troicki. “I played the finals in 2011 also; won last year; back in the finals again. Tough opponent tomorrow, but looking forward to it. I like playing here.” 

After coming from a set down earlier in the day to edge Nicolas Mahut, Troicki again went the distance in his semi-final, battling from behind to defeat Teymuraz Gabashvili 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in just over two hours.

“It was a good day, successful day,” said Troicki. “I played good tennis considering the conditions today. Tough mentally going on and off the court all the time.

“It was quite windy also sometimes during the match, and I managed to play well in those conditions. I’m happy and glad that tomorrow I’m playing a bit later so I will have time to rest. But I feel fine. I feel fit. This is what I worked for the last month and a bit more, since getting here, for the preparations in Australia.”

Meanwhile, Dimitrov was a 6-2, 7-6(4) winner over Gilles Muller, withstanding 12 aces and winning 79 per cent of his service points. The Bulgarian had earlier finished off the third set of his quarter-final win over Alexandr Dolgopolov.

“I’m happy to be back in a final,” said Dimitrov, “I’m aiming definitely higher and looking at the big picture right now. Whether it’s Brisbane or Sydney or any other tournament, it’s just as important as any other Grand Slam event or any of the [Masters] 1000s.

“I’m just taking this very seriously, but at the same time trying to enjoy the moment. I think I know when you do that, you feel happier.

“It’s been good day in the office for me, so to speak,” continued the Bulgarian. “I was pretty tired yesterday, I have to be honest. Four times on and off the court and I played against Alex in tough conditions. That took a lot out of me.

“When I came back today I felt good as new. I stretched, went through my routines, a little bit of a hit, and I think after I was very happy to complete the match with Alex. Then coming out for the second match was just like a new day for me. I didn’t think so much of the previous match or how I’m going to finish or what I’m going to do. I was just trying to focus on what was important to me.”

The 29-year-old Troicki lifted his second ATP World Tour trophy in Sydney last year as a qualifier, with victory over Mikhail Kukushkin in the final. The Serbian will look to defeat Dimitrov for the first time in three meetings on Saturday, with Dimitrov having prevailed when the pair met in Basel four years ago and again just last week in Brisbane.

The 24-year-old Dimitrov is chasing his fourth ATP World Tour title and first in 18 months, since triumphing at The Queen’s Club in June 2014.

“Last week I was down a set and a break against him,” said Dimitrov. “He plays good tennis. All-round player. He knows his way around here pretty well. I’ve seen a couple of his matches, so obviously he’s capable of playing incredible tennis.

“I think the match is pretty even. It’s a great way for both of us to come out there and perform. Of course I like the odds on my side. Been playing better each match and feeling confident with each win, so that really helps a lot coming into a final.”