Australian Open 2018: Grigor Dimitrov beats Nick Kyrgios in blockbuster fourth-round clash

GRIGOR DIMITROV beat Nick Kyrgios in the blockbuster men’s match of the tournament so far.

No 3 seed Dimitrov edged out the home favourite 7-6 7-6 4-6 7-6 in a tense, exciting, high quality battle.

 

 

 

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Grigor Dimitrov won the biggest match of the men’s tournament so far, ending the hopes of home favourite Nick Kyrgios[/caption]

Dimitrov and Kyrgios lingered in each other’s arms at the net, offering words of support and comfort after a clash which lived up to its billing.

Dimitrov, who had been beaten Kyrgios in Brisbane a fortnight before,  said: “Playing against Nick is always tricky.

“Two weeks ago I lost against him.

“He was serving unbelievable, playing unbelievable.

“He deserves a lot of credit, he fought really hard.

“it’s one of those matches you have to be dialled in and get any opportunity you have.

“I’m just glad to get through that match. I’m happy that I switched on a gear and played better and better.”

 

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Kyrgios roared back from two sets down and had chances to push the match towards a decider[/caption]

Unlike the much-anticipated showdown between Angelique Kerber and Maria Sharapova of the night before, this one lived up to the hype.

This was two players playing at or near their peak, throwing everything they had at each other, no holds barred.

Kyrgios was having verbal battles with his box, umpire Carlos Ramos and himself, but it didn’t seem to take his focus off the business in hand.

Dimitrov won because, in more of the key moments, he kept his nerve and made the better choices.

In the opening set, the Bulgarian didn’t face a single break point. Kyrgios saved three against him but come the tiebreak, a couple of double faults were his undoing.

Kyrgios twice had 0/30 on the Dimitrov serve in the second set but it was the O2 champion who broke first and then had the chance to serve it out.

Back came Kyrgios to force another tiebreak, but again Dimitrov took it.

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Dimitrov was the stronger player in all three tiebreaks, keeping his nerve when it really mattered[/caption]

“If you’re here for five sets, clap your hands,” was the optimistic chant from some of the Aussies in the crowd.

It looked at least like a possibility when Kyrgios went a break ahead for the first time in the match, at 3-2 in the third and went on to take the set.

When the Australian had a break point in the fifth game of the fourth set, you thought it could be on.

But when Kyrgios dumped an overhead in the net on the third break point of the eighth game, it gave Dimitrov the chance to serve for the match.

Which he failed to take as nerves seemed to get the better of him.

It took another tiebreak to separate them and a netted forehand by Kyrgios gave Dimitrov the advantage, which this time he did not let slip.