Florian Mayer battles past Grigor Dimitrov to advance to the semi-finals of BMW Open
World number 35 Florian Mayer of Germany defeated Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, ranked 69th in the world, in three thrilling sets 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the BMW Open at the Iphitos Tennis Club in Munich
on Friday. The German needed two hours and 22 minutes to beat his opponent in a tough match.
Mayer and Dimitrov failed to break each other in the opening set, levelling the score at 6-6 to force a tie-break. Mayer hit some powerful forehand winners to claim a couple of mini-breaks in the tie-break, winning it 7-4.
The German hit a single ace and 62 percent of the first serves, winning 71 percent of the points on them in the opening set. While, Dimitrov fired four aces and committed two double faults in the first set. The Bulgarian kept his
first serve percentage at 70 percent and claimed an incredible 91 percent of the points on them. Mayer saved both break points he faced in the opening set.
After losing a close first set, Dimitrov came back into the match se he broke his German opponent in the ninth game of the second set, winning it 6-3.
The Bulgarian hit a single ace and 62 percent of the first serves in the second set. The 19-year-old converted 56 percent of the first serves into points in the second set. In comparison, Mayer did not serve that well as he committed
three double faults and delivered 61 percent of the first serves in the second set.
Mayer regained his form in the deciding set, breaking his opponent in the third game and consolidating on the single break of serve to win the set 6-4.
The German hit a single ace and did not commit any double fault in the third set. The 27-year-old fired 70 percent of the first serves, converting 73 percent of them into points in the deciding set. Mayer capitalized on one of
the two break point opportunities he received in the final set. The German did well to save all four break points he faced in the third set.
Talking to the reporters after the match, Mayer said, "It was a really tough match and a really good match. I think Dimitrov played really tough and I was just the lucky man today who won. He's 19 years old and he has a really
good serve, forehand and backhand; I think he will be in the Top 20 very soon."
The German is drawn to play his compatriot Philipp Petzschner, ranked 76th in the world, in the semi-finals. Petzschner beat world number 43 Potito Starace in straight sets 7-6(3), 7-6(6) in the quarter-finals.
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