Dimitrov Gains Opelka Revenge In Indian Wells
Grigor Dimitrov’s strong form continued on Monday at the BNP Paribas Open as he conquered the wind and 6’ 11” Reilly Opelka’s thunderous serve, overcoming the American 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the fourth round in Indian Wells.
The 30-year-old defeated Russia’s Aslan Karatsev as he reached his first tour-level semi-final of the season in San Diego last week and is yet to drop a set in his opening two matches in California.
[FOLLOW 1000]In blustery conditions with wind speeds at 15 mph, Dimitrov stood two or three feet closer to the baseline on return as he effectively countered the height and angle of the Opelka serve, breaking twice to advance after 74 minutes.
The 23rd seed, who did not face a break point against Opelka, has now levelled his ATP Head2Head Series against the World No. 20 at 1-1, avenging his second-round defeat to the American in Toronto, with Opelka going on to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 final in Canada.
Dimitrov, who had never been beyond the third round in seven previous appearances in Indian Wells, will face top seed Daniil Medvedev or Hamburg finalist Filip Krajinovic in the last 16.