Grigor Dimitrov extended his perfect record in 2017, proving that hard graft during the off-season pays off after reaching his first Grand Slam championship semi-final in three years.
The Bulgarian No. 15 seed dominated No. 11 seed David Goffin of Belgium 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 over two hours and 12 minutes at the Australian Open on Wednesday, sealing his 10th win of the year with a backhand winner down the line.
Dimitrov, who picked up his fifth ATP World Tour title at the recent Brisbane International presented by Suncorp (d. Nishikori) – his first for more than two-and-a-half years, later watched on television as Spanish ninth seed and 2009 titlist Rafael Nadal beat third-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic.
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“After the first set, I felt a little bit better, for sure," said Dimitrov, who also beat Goffin at the 2014 US Open. "Then, I felt I was in control of the match after that… I feel like I have all the tools to go further, and my job isn't over yet. I'm looking forward to my match on Friday. I think I'm prepared. I think I'm ready to go the distance.
“I'm confident enough to say that I feel good physically, and overall on the court. Just going forward with the confidence that I have built up also from the previous tournament. Now with each match I've been feeling better and better. It just all comes pretty natural right now.”
Watch: Off-Season Training With Dimitrov In Monte-Carlo
Dimitrov seized control immediately in taking a 3-0 lead inside seven minutes, and while Goffin fought back to level the score the Belgium’s serve was broken in a 14-point eighth game. Dimitrov lost four of his first service points and struck 14 winners during the first set, then regained the momentum after a competitive start to the second set - featuring three straight service breaks.
There was no respite on serve for Goffin, who faced 15 break points and although he attempted to disturb Dimitrov’s rhythm with net rushes (winning 19 of 25 points) he was decisively broken at 3-3 in the third set. While first-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist Goffin saved two match points at 3-5, minutes later Dimitrov hit his 33rd winner in a love hold.
Goffin, who had been attempting to become the first Belgian to reach a major semi-final since Xavier Malisse at 2002 Wimbledon, admitted, "I tried to play really fast from both sides to make him run, but he was on every ball, He used his slice really well. He played a really good match. He was really solid. He served better, much better than I did… It was not easy to finish the point. I didn't find a way to finish the point or to go to the net. His improvement is [his] mentality. [The] past few months he proved that mentally he was much better than in the past.”
The 25-year-old Dimitrov has equalled his best match winning streak, having recorded 10 straight victories in winning the 2014 Aegon Championships title and going on to reach the Wimbledon last four. The former World No. 8, who works with Dani Vallverdu, the former coach of Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych, has now won nine of his past 11 matches against players in the Top 20 of the Emirates ATP Rankings.