Grigor Dimitrov bulldozes Ivan Dodig in the first round – BNP Paribas Open 2012
World number 102, Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, thrashed the world number 59 Ivan Dodig in straight sets 6-1, 6-4 in the opening round at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, USA on Friday. The Bulgarian ousted Dodig in just an
hour and 25 minutes.
Dimitrov showed no mercy to his opponent in the first set. The Bulgarian made double breakthrough and let Dodig claim only one game, capturing it 6-1.
The Paris resident served impressively, hitting a couple of aces and 77 percent of the first deliveries. However, the best part of the Bulgarian’s game was his serves replies. He grabbed four of the seven first and five of the
eight second return points in the opener. While, Dodig failed to impress from both his first and second serve performance. The Croatian hit one double fault and hit just 47 of the first deliveries correctly.
The second set was not that one-sided. Dimitrov and Dodig held their serve in the first four games, levelling the score at 2-2. The Bulgarian struck in the fifth game and consolidated on it to seal it 6-4.
Dodig continued to serve below par throughout the second set. Although, he hit two aces this time, the Croatian committed three double faults. He put in just 44 percent of the first serves. There was no improvement in his serve
replies either, as he won just eight of the 22 first and three of the 11 second return points. However, Dodig managed to save 11 of the 12 break points he faced in the second set.
Dimitrov, who rose to career best 52nd spot on the South African Airways ATP Rankings in August 2011, has faced a slump of form in recent months. This win was just his second of the season. He was on a three match losing
streak before this match.
After losing to Nicolas Almagro of Spain in the second round at the Australian Open, the right-hander was beaten by South African Kevin Anderson in the opener at the SAP Open. He went on to lose at the hands of Donald Young in
the first round at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships.
Dimitrov is scheduled to take on fifth seed David Ferrer in the round of 64.
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