Grigor Dimitrov resolves his debut at Queen’s with authority | ATP Tour

London Queen’s Club

Dimitrov resolves his debut at Queen’s with authority

Thompson surprised No. 7 seed Rune and Raonic fired 47 aces in his victory

June 17, 2024

In 2014, Grigor Dimitrov was proclaimed champion of the Cinch Championships, lifting one of the nine titles that today make up his record. Ten years later, the Bulgarian continues to add victories on the London grass.

Without going any further, this Monday he was in charge of opening the main draw with an outstanding performance against Adrian Mannarino, whom he beat 6-1, 6-2 in just 62 minutes to advance to the second round.

Mannarino, who is one of the ATP Tour specialists on grass (he has two titles) and has reached the fourth round at Wimbledon twice, could do little against an opponent who had 12 aces, raising his success to 86% with his first serve and did not concede a single break option.

The No. 10 in the PIF ATP Rankings will face the winner of the duel between Sebastian Korda and Karen Khachanov in the second round.

Much more work had to be done by Jordan Thompson, who ended up coming back and confirming the surprise against the No. 7 seed Holger Rune 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 in two hours and three minutes.

The Australian, who had already achieved other great victories this year against Rafael Nadal (Brisbane) or Alexander Zverev (Los Cabos), could be the rival of the guest Andy Murray or his compatriot Alexei Popyrin.

The victory of the day was won by Milos Raonic, who needed two hours and 15 minutes to beat the local Cameron Norrie 6-7(6), 6-3, 7-6(9), setting the record for aces in a match to three sets with a total of 47 aces.

The Canadian, who plays at Queen’s with a protected ranking, saved two match points in the third set tie-break against Norrie. Now, the 2016 finalist will face the Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel or the No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz in the second round.

For his part, the Australian also from the qualifying phase Rinky Hijikata continued ahead this Monday on the English grass, after Frances Tiafoe could not complete the match and retired due to injury with 7-5, 4-6, 1-0 on the scoreboard. He will face Matteo Arnaldi or No. 8 seed Ugo Humbert in the second round.

Did you know…?

Grigor Dimitrov will play in the second round of the Cinch Championships at Queen’s (London) the 75th match of his career on grass. The Bulgarian has a 43-31 record on the surface, winning the crown at this ATP 500 ten years ago.