Grigor Dimitrov stuns Julien Benneteau in opening round – Credit Agricole Suisse Open 2012
Bulgarian star, Grigor Dimitrov, bounced back to upset the sixth seed, Julien Benneteau, in a three-set nail-biter at the Credit Agricole Suisse Open 2012 on Tuesday. He penned down a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory against the world number 32 to power into the second
round at this outdoor clay court tournament taking place in Gstaad, Switzerland.
The French resident, Dimitrov, found his momentum after the opening set and subsequently carved out the victory with a breadstick at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event. Battling each other for the first time, the Bulgarian
outsmarted Benneteau in one hour and 44 minutes and occupied a spot in the second round.
The 30-year-old, Benneteau made a powerful entry at the Credit Agricole Arena and drew the first blood in the third game to leap to a 3-1 lead. He maintained consistency in his game and not only held remaining serves with poise but capitalised on another
break chance in the last game to click the opener with a 6-3 win.
Ranked 61st in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Dimitrov re-focused in the follow-up set and held his opening serve to level the scores at 1-1. He warded off all three breakpoints he came across to swipe his entire serves and
got the breakthrough in the seventh game, consequently recording a 6-4 success.
The 21-year-old perfected his game in the final set which counted the most. He got the desiderated break in the opening game and jumped to a 2-0 lead. After Benneteau held his serve in the third game, the Bulgarian went on a four-game rampage and pocketed
the decider with a breadstick.
Overall, Dimitrov committed several errors but smashed nine aces to neutralise the effect. He manipulated a slightly lower first serve share of 59 per cent as opposed to his rival’s 60 per cent but tremendously clinched 33 out of 44 points on it.
Next in line for the Bulgarian is the German qualifier, Dustin Brown, who also hit back to overcome his rival, Ukraine’s Sergiy Stakhovsky, in a three-set thriller to set up this battle.
Tags: