Dimitrov powers past Popyrin in Shanghai for 40th win of year

Is the Rolex Shanghai Masters where Grigor Dimitrov makes his move in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin?

The Bulgarian dealt with a tough third-round draw in style on Tuesday at the Chinese ATP Masters 1000 event, where he overcame Alexei Popyrin 7-6(5), 6-2. Dimitrov held firm in a tight first set before accelerating to a victory in which he won 97 per cent (33/34) of points behind his first serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

With his 40th tour-level victory of 2024, Dimitrov consolidated 10th place in the Live Race. The 33-year-old knows that a deep run in Shanghai could significantly boost his chances of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals, where he lifted the trophy on his only previous appearance in 2017.

“One day at a time at the moment for me,” said Dimitrov, who has struggled on and off with injury since he was forced to retire from his US Open quarter-final against Frances Tiafoe in August. “There’s been so many things that have been moving around, and at the same time I’m very thankful to be out here again. At the same time, putting matches together under my belt, back-to-back, is very important for me.”

Statement win ?‍?@GrigorDimitrov defeats Alexei Popyrin 7-6(5) 6-2 to reach the round of 16 in Shanghai for the third consecutive time.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/piumC1q1Ut

Dimitrov offered just 14 unforced errors to Popyrin’s 28 en route to levelling the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series at 2-2. With his 88-minute triumph, he also avenged his Masters 1000 defeat to Popyrin in August in Montreal, where the Australian saved three match points against Dimitrov in the third round before going on to lift the title.

“I just had to stay in it. It’s a very difficult match,” said Dimitrov. “He’s such a good hitter. Serves amazing, and every high ball around the middle, he just punishes you. So I had to remain very calm and follow my gameplan. I think I was actually striking the ball very well, so I’m happy with the win.”

Next up for Dimitrov in Shanghai is a fourth-round meeting with Jakub Mensik. The #NextGenATP Czech earlier downed Alexander Shevchenko 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-2.

Another Top 10 star, Taylor Fritz, also advanced with a straight-sets win on Tuesday. The American breezed past Yosuke Watanuki 6-3, 6-4 to reach the last 16 in Shanghai for the first time in five appearances.

His opponent there will be 12th seed Holger Rune, who eased to a 6-4, 7-5 triumph against Jiri Lehecka. The 21-year-old Rune broke serve in the penultimate game of both sets to pull through for a one-hour, 50-minute win against the 33rd-seeded Lehecka.

Wednesday’s meeting in Shanghai will be the third Lexus ATP Head2Head clash between Fritz and Rune. Both their previous encounters also came at Masters 1000 events: Fritz prevailed in a fourth-round clash in Miami in 2023, before Rune gained revenge with a fourth-round win in Indian Wells earlier this season.

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