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By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, February 17, 2017

 
David Goffin

David Goffin defeated Grigor Dimitrov for the first time in four Tour-level meetings, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, to advance to the Rotterdam semifinals for the first time.

Photo credit: ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament Facebook

Streaking toward the service box, Grigor Dimitrov stretched for the shot only to scrape his racquet off the court as the ball danced past him.

Dimitrov attacked from all angles, but David Goffin created accurate angles that sometimes left his opponent lunging at air.

More: Tsonga Tops Cilic in Rotterdam

In a match that popped with all-court creativity, Goffin defused Dimitrov for the first time in four Tour-level meetings, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, to advance to the Rotterdam semifinals for the first time.




Five days after Dimitrov held off a late challenge from Goffin to win his second title of the season in Sunday’s Sofia final, the slender Belgian defended the corners effectively and delivered some confounding angles defeating the hottest player on the ATP Tour.

The third-seeded Belgian will play French qualifier Pierre-Hugues Herbert for a place in Sunday's final.

The 96th-ranked Herbert dug out some exceptional stretch volleys surprising Dominic Thiem, 6-4, 7-6 (3), in today's last quarterfinal.

The fifth-seeded Dimitrov carried a 16-1 record into today’s quarterfinal with his lone loss coming to Rafael Nadal in an epic four hour, 56-minute Australian Open quarterfinal.

Forced to defend more frequently in Sofia, Goffin came out playing closer to the lines in today’s rematch.

Goffin saved two break points in the fourth game, including dotting the edge of the service line with an ace, eventually holding for 2-all.

Losing the range on serve, Dimitrov decelerated on a couple of second serves coughing up a pair of double faults to donate the break and a 3-2 lead.

Spreading the court effectively to stretch the Sofia champion, Goffin gained three break points in the seventh game. Dimitrov hung tough, lacing an ace wide to hold for 3-4.

An electric running backhand pass down the line gave Dimitrov a second break point in the eighth game, but Goffin continued to touch the lines with a variety of angled drives holding strong for 5-3.

The 26-year-old Belgian converted his second break point to take a set from Dimitrov for the first time since he won the opening set of their first Tour-level meeting at the 2014 US Open.

Denying break points to start the second set, Dimitrov scraped out a pair of break points in the second game. Goffin stung a serve to save the first and cracked a forehand down the line to stave off the second.

Exuding more positive energy, Dimitrov capped a tremendous exchange of varied angle, spin and depth lifting a forehand pass down the line. That shot helped him earn double break point. Drawing a netted error, Dimitrov broke for 3-1 as Bulgarian fans erupted in a chant of “Grigor! Grigor!”




Jamming a forehand approach down the line, Dimitrov broke again extending his lead to 5-1.

There was no concession from Goffin, who produced three break points. Dimitrov fought off each challenge thumping an ace down the middle to force a final set.

Goffin continued to target the Dimitrov backhand scoring the early break in racing out to a 3-0 lead in the decisive set.




Dipping an angled backhand pass that eluded a sprawling Dimitrov, Goffin gained match points and when Dimitrov sprayed a forehand down the line wide, Goffin was through to his second straight semifinal.


 

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