By Alberto Amalfi | Saturday, January 6, 2024

Brisbane's buzz for tennis brings out the best in Grigor Dimitrov.

Former world No.3 Dimitrov dispatched home hero Jordan Thompson 6-3, 7-5, to charge into his record-tying third Brisbane International final.

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Dimitrov drilled 10 aces against three double faults, dropped only six points on first serve and saved all six break points he faced in a clean one hour, 49-minute victory.



“It’s been a tremendous couple of weeks for me,” said Dimitrov, who equals Roger Federer with his third trip to the Brisbane final. “It’s a very humble moment for me.

"I’m just enjoying it and I’m very happy to be back in the finals.”

The second-seeded Dimitrov posted his tournament record 22nd career victory setting up the third final in Brisbane history between the two top seeds. The 2017 champion Dimitrov also reached the final in 2013 falling to Andy Murray.

Earlier, top-seeded Holger Rune faced only two break points defeating Roman Safiullin 6-4, 7-6(0) in 87 minutes.

World No. 8 Rune is into his first final since Rome last May when he knocked off Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud in succession before losing to Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 7-5 in the final.

The 20-year-old Rune is playing for his fifth career title and first on outdoor hard courts.



The final will be the third career clash between the pair. Rune beat Dimitrov on grass in the 2023 Wimbledon round of 16 with Dimitrov defeating Rune on hard court in the Beijing round of 16 last season.

“At the moment I’m living my dream, doing what I love, being in the final, playing in front of you guys, so there’s so many positives,” Dimitrov told fans during his on-court interview. “I just want to enjoy every single moment and stay in the moment.

"Win or lose, I’ll keep on going. Tomorrow I get to play another match, so I’m very grateful.”