Dimitrov Saves Two Match Points, Defeats Mathieu in Rotterdam

Fifth seeded Grigor Dimitrov saved two match points against No 96 Paul-Henri Mathieu of France defeating him 4-6 7-6(2) 6-2 and advanced to the second round of ATP 500 tournament in Rotterdam. Grigor Dimitrov was lost the first set 4-6 and was losing 4-5 in the second but recovered and forced the set to a tiebreak. Mathieu lost temper after strongly objecting the first point of the tiebreak. With an early break in the third set Dimitrov reached 6-4 and won the match. After the handshake Mathieu continued to argument with Dimitrov who in his turn was explaining his own point.

"Points like that are sort of the key to the match," Dimitrov said of his close call. "After the first one, I was hoping to have a look at a second serve, so I could come into the point and try to do something different. Next thing you know, I was facing a second match point. I was sure if I could take that one I could do something better, and I think I was getting in his head step by step, point by point. When I got to the tie-break I was really focused, really composed. Ultimately, I felt like I was in control of the match."

In the second round Grigor Dimitrov will play Gilles Muller of Luxembourg, No 37. In the only match so far Dimitrov beat Muller in the first round in Queen's Club in 2012.