Friday 17 November 2017

Dimitrov into ATP Finals semis

Sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov has joined Roger Federer in the semis of the ATP Finals in London after he dismantled David Goffin (7).

The Bulgarian was ruthless fro the outset, winning 86% of points on his serve in set one, and 63% of points on Goffin’s serve.

Three of seven break points were converted, while Goffin couldn’t manufacture a single chance.

6-0 was the scoreline and it didn’t improve much in the second set.

Dimitrov capitalised on two of four break points but Goffin failed to do anything with his only break point of the match.

Again taking significant skin off the Belgian serve, Dimitrov delivered the set with ease, and the match 6-0 6-2.

The live rankings now see Dimitrov jumping two spots to a possible career high of four.

Dominic Thiem (4) kept his hopes of a semi final spot alive by defeating alternate player Pablo Carreno Busta.

Rather than facing Nadal, it was the less imposing fellow Spaniard, but that still posed plenty of problems for the Austrian who was stretched to three sets.

Opening with a blistering 84% of points won on serve and facing no break points, Thiem raced to a 6-3 lead.

This was matched by Pablo who returned brilliantly in set two resulting in two breaks and a 6-3 for himself.

The decider saw Thiem gather seven break chances and weight of numbers told - two converted - and while Pablo squeezed a break of his own, it was insufficient.

Thiem won 6-3 3-6 6-4 and will play Goffin for the second semi spot from the Pete Sampras Group.

As we speak, Marin Cilic (5), winless so far, has taken the first set from unbeaten Roger Federer (2).

While the match has no bearing on standings in the Boris Becker Group - Federer already in the semis and Cilic unable to qualify - a win over the Swiss legend would be something for Cilic to take away from the tournament. A reminder of the semi final in the 2014 US Open, where his win over Federer was a prelude to the major win - the final against Nishikori.

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