No Player Does This Better Than Damir Dzumhur

Break point conversion can make or break a career.

Damir Dzumhur is making a habit of converting break points better than anyone in the world this year as he powers up the Emirates ATP World Tour Rankings to a career-high No. 31 this week. Dzumhur, 25, from Bosnia-Herzegovina, has converted 47.8 per cent (213/445) of his break points from 55 matches in 2017 to lead all players in this key statistical area.

As a comparison, World No. 1, Rafael Nadal is converting 40.9 per cent (285/696) of his break points this season, and second-ranked Roger Federer is at 41.2 per cent (167/405). 

2017: Dzumhur Break Point Conversion By Surface

• Grass = 62%. 13/21 from 4 matches.
• Clay = 51%. 27/53 from 9 matches.
• Hard = 47%. 173/371 from 45 matches.

The Bosnian has an impressive ATP Stats LEADERBOARD Return Rating of 162.5 from the past 52 weeks, making him the fifth best returner on tour during that period.

Past 52 Weeks: Dzumhur Infosys Return Ranking

• 1st – Break Points Converted (48.3%)
• 4th – 1st Serve Return Points Won (32.7%)
• 5th – Infosys Return Rating (162.5)
• 5th – Return Games Won (30.4%)
• 18th – 2nd Serve Return Points Won (51.1%) 

Dzumhur has been in great form in recent weeks, winning two ATP World Tour 250 events out of his past five tournaments. He won his first ATP World Tour title at the St Petersburg Open in September, and then took out the VTB Kremlin Cup in Moscow last week. He is now an impressive 35-23 on the year.

Dzumhur was red-hot returning in St Petersburg, winning 56 per cent (24/43) of break points through five matches. He won a respectable 33 per cent (17/51) in winning Moscow last week.

It is clear to see from the table below that you can closely track Dzumhur’s climb up the rankings with his increased performance converting break points.

Past 3 Years: Break Points Converted/Ranking 

• 2017 = 48% / Ranking No. 31
• 2016 = 45% / Ranking No. 77
• 2015 = 41% / Ranking No. 82

Dzumhur’s 5’9”, 154-pound frame may not be as tall and powerful as other players on tour, but it helps make him lightning fast around the court, and he has developed excellent counter-punching skills that are tailor-made for the return of serve. He is a “model” returner of pace, exhibiting amazing balance while absorbing and redirecting the power of the serve.

He is coming of age at 25 and his career is building towards a Top 20 breakthrough sometime in the near future. He also boasts a 2017 final in Winston-Salem, along with semi-final appearances in Shenzhen and Los Cabos. He entered the Top 50 just a month ago, and his development curve shows no signs of slowing down.