Let’s talk about falling in love. “What are you referring to? Go ahead, say it to me. It's okay,” Grigor Dimitrov said with a smile in Interview Room 1 in Melbourne on Monday. The Bulgarian had all the answers when defeating Denis Istomin to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals, but in his post-match press conference, he was faced with an atypical question. “When I was young, I liked very much the young girls,” said the interviewer. “Sometimes I got distracted. So I'd like to know if you get distracted, too.” “Let me think about it,” the No. 15 seed said with a laugh. “That was the greatest thing I've heard, man. Oh, wow… I obviously have a soft spot for...
Grigor Dimitrov booked his place in the Australian Open quarter-finals for the second time in three years on Monday. The No. 15 seed ended the run of Novak Djokovic’s conqueror, World No. 117 and wild card Denis Istomin, 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-1 in two hours and 24 minutes at Melbourne Park. The Bulgarian remains unbeaten at 9-0 in 2017 – including winning his fifth ATP World Tour title at the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp (d. Kei Nishikori). Dimitrov capitalised on a hot day in Melbourne by striking 37 winners and winning 72 per cent of his approaches to the net against Uzbekistani Istomin, who received medical treatment on several occasions for a back complaint. He will next play Belgian...
Grigor Dimitrov was eager to avoid a late-night marathon at the Australian Open on Saturday, dispatching 18th seed Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in two hours and two minutes to advance to the fourth round. After Rafael Nadal's five-set victory over Alexander Zverev extended the day session on Rod Laver Arena, Dimitrov and Gasquet didn't get underway until 11:58 p.m. local time in Melbourne. The seventh battle between two of the more majestic one-handed backhands on tour would go the way of the Bulgarian in convincing fashion. He fired 48 winners, including 11 aces, while turning aside six of seven break points faced. He continued his impressive start to the season, remaining undefeated (8-0) after lifting his fifth ATP World...