[ad_1]
European Open (Antwerp), semi-final
Grigor Dimitrov – Alex de Minor 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 4-6
Grigor Dimitrov lost to Alex de Minor in the semi-finals of the ATP 250 tournament in Antwerp. The first rackets from Bulgaria and Australia played a very intriguing and spectacular match, after which Dimitrov sadly ended his participation in the tournament in the “City of Diamonds”.
Statistically the two opponents were completely equal, but De Minor’s incredible defense play and the many unprovoked errors in Dimitrov’s attack tipped the balance in favor of the Australian. Thus, in tomorrow’s final, the 29th World Cup will face Frenchman Hugo Umber, who today beat Daniel Evans 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4.
First set:
Dimitrov made several forehand errors in the first game, but nonetheless the Bulgarian managed to take the lead in the set, noticing his second gameball.
De Minor hit three consecutive game balls in the second game, but they were saved after two big attacks by Dimitrov and a double error by the Australian. After that, however, the Bulgarian was not precise enough in the decisive moments and handed the game to his opponent after an unprovoked backhand error.
The Australian managed to make a breakthrough after significantly increasing the pace and winning the third game to zero.
Grigor Dimitrov quickly shook off the disappointing third game and immediately returned the gesture, winning the fourth to zero.
In the fifth game, our first racket played much more aggressively and confidently, which brought him success. Dimitrov displayed his entire arsenal of attacks, rendering the speedy Australian defenseless and thus regaining the lead on set.
In the sixth game, De Minor tried to counter Dimitrov’s powerful forehand attacks, but this tactic backfired against the Australian. The 29th World Cup managed to save two consecutive game balls on our first racket, but then Dimitrov had a third chance, in which the Bulgarian’s attempt helped him outwit his young rival and increase his lead.
De Minor managed to close the gap in the set, although Dimitrov made up for a 0-30 deficit in the seventh game. At 40-40, luck smiled on the Australian after his comeback “landed” on the line, and in the next play-off the backhand to the right of our first racket went out.
Dimitrov took the lead in the eighth game after winning a very long and difficult play, but then De Minor, albeit again with some chance, managed to reverse the result and make a breakthrough.
Our first racket played the ninth game very smartly and intelligently, although she continued to experience difficulties on her first serve. However, Dimitrov’s strong and varied attacks turned out to be too good for De Minor and the Bulgarian was close to one game since winning the set.
In the 10th game, De Minor showed his best game, as the combination of speed and strong attacks helped the Australian to level the games again.
Dimitrov decided to start risking more on the first serve and this approach paid off. De Minor was unprepared for the Bulgarian’s tactic, who made the most of his opponent’s game hesitations and again took the lead on set.
In the twelfth game, Dimitrov was the most attacking player again, but De Minor showed incredible play on defense and led the set to a tiebreaker.
Australia’s first racket completely dominated the tiebreaker, effectively settling things, leading 5-0. Dimitrov tried to respond to the challenge and cut the score to 6-4, but then the Bulgarian again made a backhand error and De Minor triumphed in the set after 7-4 in the tiebreaker.
Second game:
De Minor’s strong run continued at the start of the second set, as the Australian won his service game and took the lead in the result.
In the second game Dimitrov again managed to make it difficult for his opponent with his favorite attack: a backhand from the back of the court. The Bulgarian emerged from a difficult situation, making a lap of 30-15, which allowed him to restore the tie in the set.
Our first racket showed strong nerves, reflecting three game points in the third game, but was unfortunately unable to take advantage of fluctuations in De Minor’s game and the Australian won the game after another mistake from Dimitrov’s backhand.
The fourth game was very difficult for Dimitrov, who fell behind twice in the result, after which he had to save a break point. However, the Bulgarian faced the difficult task and managed to find a way to overcome De Minor’s great defense, thus leveling the score in the set.
The Australian took the lead in the fifth game, but immediately afterwards Dimitrov’s attacks began to occur again. The backhand of our first racket was his most powerful weapon in the game and the native tennis player achieved the advance after a spectacular blow to the right.
Dimitrov found himself in a very difficult situation at 15-40 in the sixth game, but managed to equalize after two consecutive aces. The Bulgarian missed two break points, but shortly thereafter got a second chance, leaving his rival no chance after another irresistible backhand attack.
De Minor continued to defend firmly and await Dimitrov’s mistakes. Unfortunately, they came – the backhand cheated twice on our first racket and this helped the Aussie keep the intrigue on set.
Dimitrov led 30-15 in the eighth game and had a very good chance of making a breakthrough, but De Minor continued to fight and the Australian’s stubbornness paid off, and at the end of the game Dimitrov made two more unprovoked errors.
De Minor felt hesitation in Dimitrov’s game and began to play much more offensively. The Australian’s offensive approach turned out to be very successful for him and he led the set after a game to nil.
Dimitrov lost a 30-0 lead in the 10th game, but De Minor’s lack of experience was evident. The Australian tried to finish the match as quickly as possible and this led to errors, which the Bulgarian took advantage of to equalize the games.
In the eleventh game, De Minor began to attack very bravely again and this surprised Dimitrov. The Australian managed to find weaknesses in the defense of our first racket and was only one game away from winning the match.
Grigor Dimitrov showed his best game in attack and managed to fight his way through De Minor’s defense, taking the second set to a tiebreak after finishing the game with a spectacular backhand winner.
The second tiebreak of the match was similar to its predecessor, but with the opposite sign. Dimitrov showed great tennis and led 6-0, but then our first racket was allowed to relax and De Minor dropped to 6-3. However, the Australian’s nerves did not last and he made an unprovoked mistake, which brought the Bulgarian success on set.
Third set:
Success in the second set gave a great deal of confidence to Dimitrov, who led in the final set after a very strong first game.
De Minor managed to break Dimitrov’s strong drive after several very good forehand attacks, which caught Dimitrov off guard and the Australian restored the tie.
Dimitrov made an impressive turn in the third game, as the Bulgarian first saved a break point, then “killed” De Minor twice with very clever attacks.
In the fourth game, De Minor again demonstrated his great speed on the court and his dynamic play allowed him to equalize again on set.
Dimitrov’s first serve worked in the fifth game and this made it very difficult for De Minor. The Bulgarian dictated the pace throughout the match and was back in the lead in the final set.
In the sixth game, our first racket again failed to make a breakthrough, as De Minor played some of his strongest minutes in the match and won the game to nil.
Game 7 was one of the most dramatic of the match, as Dimitrov saved three break points, but in the end De Minor’s phenomenal defensive play brought him success again and the Australian took a big step to win the match.
Dimitrov reacted in the best possible way, winning the eighth game to zero. The Bulgarian took advantage of his opponent’s hesitations in the game and remained in the battle for victory in the match.
In the ninth game, De Minor again took the initiative and managed to overcome Dimitrov’s resistance, winning the all-important ninth game.
Dimitrov tried to put pressure on De Minor again, but the Bulgarian acted too hastily and this led to mistakes that proved disastrous for the outcome of the match. Our first racket saved a match point, but on his second chance De Minor made no mistake and qualified for the final of the tournament.
TennisKafe.com
[ad_2]
