By Chris Oddo | Wednesday January 25, 2017
Grigor Dimitrov was flawless in pretty much ever way during his victory over David Goffin on Thursday in Melbourne
Photo credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty
Grigor Dimitrov came into his Australian Open quarterfinal appearance red-hot, having won all nine of his matches in 2017, including three against the Top 10. He finished the match even hotter.
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The Bulgarian put forth a near flawless performance on Wednesday in Melbourne and he dispatched No.11-seeded David Goffin, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
“I knew it was not going to be easy,” Dimitrov said in his post-match interview with Jim Courier. “With each game I was feeling a little bit better… I’m just happy right now.”
Meeting the Belgian for the first time since 2014, Dimitrov was the steadier and more dynamic player from start to finish. When his forehand wasn’t wreaking havoc on Goffin, Dimitrov settled into defensive posture and outlasted Goffin, goading him into errors as he kept him pinned behind the baseline with depth and consistency.
Goffin was quick to admit where his opponent outdid him after the match. “He was on every ball,” Goffin said. “It was tough to play fast. I tried to play really fast from both side to make him run, but he was on every ball.”
Dimitrov’s speed was definitely a factor. There were very few balls that he didn’t get to over the course of the two hour and 12-minute affair, and he also managed to be productive on defense, making sure that his replies kept Goffin from attack mode.
Dimitrov finished with 32 winners against 25 unforced errors; Goffin chipped in 29 winners against 46 unforced.
Goffin admitted that Dimitrov’s strokes were impressive, but he senses that the real improvement in the Bulgarian’s game has come on the mental side. “That was a good match, I think, for him,” he told reporters. “But his improvement is mentally. Last few months he proved that mentally he was much better than in the past. He didn't give any points. He was really solid. So I think that's his biggest improvement.”
Dimitrov and Goffin played a lot of close games throughout the match, but Dimitrov held sway over the run of play and on the scoreboard throughout.
Goffin battled back from a break down to level at three-all in set one but Dimitrov took the final two games to take the opener.
Dimitrov broke for 2-1 and again for 5-2 in a lopsided middle set, and the Bulgarian broke critically for 4-3 in the third set. He held at love to finish the match, sealing his victory with a booming backhand winner and then flashed a big smile in the direction of his box.
Dimitrov will face either Rafael Nadal or Milos Raonic in the semifinals on Friday. The Bulgarian becomes the only Bulgarian plyer to reach multiple Grand Slam semifinals with the win. He has won nine of his last 11 against the Top 20.
“Whoever I’m facing next I need to be 100 percent ready, but right now I’m just humbled to be in the semis.”