Dimitrov Fights Past Simon In 2016 Opener

Grigor Dimitrov took the first step in putting a disappointing 2015 campaign behind him, turning in a gritty 6-3, 7-6(10) victory over Gilles Simon in the first round of the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp.

The 24-year-old Bulgarian claimed the first main draw match of the 2016 ATP World Tour season in two hours and six minutes, firing eight aces, while surviving six of seven break points faced. After fighting bravely to stave off five match points in the second set tie-break, Simon double faulted at 10-all. Dimitrov then closed it out on the next point. The Brisbane runner-up in 2013 (l. to Murray), Dimitrov is making his fourth straight trip to the Australian city. He notched his first victory over the Frenchman in five FedEx ATP Head2Head encounters and will next face either Viktor Troicki or Steve Johnson in the second round. Roger Federer looms as a potential quarter-final opponent for the Haskovo native.

In other first round action on Monday, Aussie John-Patrick Smith faces Denis Kudla, Benjamin Mitchell battles Tobias Kamke and rising teen Hyeon Chung duels with home hope Sam Groth.