Dimitrov Holds Off Sousa Fightback

Grigor Dimitrov continued his resurgence Saturday as he booked his place in the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2015 Australian Open. The Bulgarian defeated Joao Sousa 6-4, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 to reach the last 16 at the US Open.

“I think winning matches always gives you confidence,” said Dimitrov. “I’ve won quite a few close matches, which just helps me a lot to be solid when I have to. Today [was] that type of a match that I played really smart on the big points, I played good when I had to. Overall it was a decent match, I would say.”

Since teaming up with new coach, Dani Vallverdu, at the Rogers Cup, Dimitrov has gone 10-3, reaching the quarter-finals in Toronto (l. to Nishikori) and the semi-finals at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati (l. to Cilic) to take his Emirates ATP Ranking from No. 40 to No. 24.

“First of all he’s a great guy,” Dimitrov said of his new coach. “We share a lot of the same things. On the court we kind of think similarly. We kind of want to just work right now. That’s what it’s about.

“I know how to play tennis. Now it’s more the strategic way, how you’re going to prepare for big matches, big tournaments.”

The 25-year-old Dimitrov is bidding to reach his first major quarter-final since a run to his first Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon (l. to Djokovic) two years ago, since which he has endured some turbulent times on the court.  

The 22^nd-seeded Dimitrov tore through the first two sets against Sousa, breaking serve three times. His Portuguese opponent struck back in the third set to bring himself back into contention and kept his momentum up with an early break in the fourth. But his comeback was halted as Dimitrov regrouped to reel off the final six games of the match and claim victory in two hours and 38 minutes.

 Dimitrov goes on to face second seed and 2012 champion Andy Murray. Read More

“Obviously it’s going to be a great match. I’m excited to be in the second week. That’s just a good start for me. I always like my chances when I get to stages like that in a tournament, especially having to play tough matches early on and [I’m] feeling good and confident… [I’m] just going to take everything onboard with me right now and bring it out on the court.”