02 June 2024
Grigor Dimitrov achieved a significant milestone at Roland Garros by defeating Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(5), 6-4, 7-6(3) to reach his first quarter-final at this tournament. Dimitrov has now made it to the quarter-finals of all four Grand Slam events. Despite a fall and needing hand treatment, Dimitrov won in just under three hours. He saved all five break points in the first set and won the final tie-break. Next, Dimitrov will face Jannik Sinner.
Grigor Dimitrov reached a new milestone on Sunday evening at Roland Garros.
The Bulgarian player won 7-6(5), 6-4, 7-6(3) against Hubert Hurkacz to reach his first quarter-final at this clay-court major. At 33 years old, he has now made it to the last eight at each of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Despite falling hard after diving for a shot in the third set and needing treatment for his hand, Dimitrov finished the match in two hours and 51 minutes on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. He has continued his winning streak against his friend Hurkacz, beating him in all six of their tour-level matches.
"It's tough to play against a good friend. I've known him for many years," said Dimitrov in his on-court interview. "We practice a lot and have shared many moments. I knew it would be a hard match, but I also knew I had to fight hard.
"I always wanted to reach the second week. Roland Garros was the only Slam where I felt stuck. But today, 15 years later, I made it, so I'm very happy."
Dimitrov, seeded 10th, saved all five break points he faced in the first set of Sunday’s fourth-round match, including three from 5-5, 0/40. After winning the first set tie-break, he played more consistently over the next two sets and seemed set for an easy win when he was up 3-1 in the third.
Hurkacz, also aiming for his first Roland Garros quarter-final, fought back to force a tie-break but couldn't keep his momentum. Dimitrov won the first four points of the tie-break and withstood 20 aces from Hurkacz to complete the win.
"When you play on clay, you have to be creative with your tennis," said Dimitrov about his playing style. "You need finesse and to read the court well. Clay courts are tricky; you never know the conditions.
"I like my chances, using my body and chasing balls around the court. I use my slice and variety. When the ball is there to hit, I try to make the most of it."
With this win, Dimitrov joins Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Daniil Medvedev, and Marin Cilic as the only active players to reach the quarter-finals of all Grand Slam and ATP Masters 1000 events. Now 28-8 for the 2024 season, Dimitrov will face second seed Jannik Sinner next, who defeated Corentin Moutet 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 in the quarter-finals.
Grigor Dimitrov reached a new milestone on Sunday evening at Roland Garros.
The Bulgarian player won 7-6(5), 6-4, 7-6(3) against Hubert Hurkacz to reach his first quarter-final at this clay-court major. At 33 years old, he has now made it to the last eight at each of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Despite falling hard after diving for a shot in the third set and needing treatment for his hand, Dimitrov finished the match in two hours and 51 minutes on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. He has continued his winning streak against his friend Hurkacz, beating him in all six of their tour-level matches.
"It's tough to play against a good friend. I've known him for many years," said Dimitrov in his on-court interview. "We practice a lot and have shared many moments. I knew it would be a hard match, but I also knew I had to fight hard.
"I always wanted to reach the second week. Roland Garros was the only Slam where I felt stuck. But today, 15 years later, I made it, so I'm very happy."
Dimitrov, seeded 10th, saved all five break points he faced in the first set of Sunday’s fourth-round match, including three from 5-5, 0/40. After winning the first set tie-break, he played more consistently over the next two sets and seemed set for an easy win when he was up 3-1 in the third.
Hurkacz, also aiming for his first Roland Garros quarter-final, fought back to force a tie-break but couldn't keep his momentum. Dimitrov won the first four points of the tie-break and withstood 20 aces from Hurkacz to complete the win.
"When you play on clay, you have to be creative with your tennis," said Dimitrov about his playing style. "You need finesse and to read the court well. Clay courts are tricky; you never know the conditions.
"I like my chances, using my body and chasing balls around the court. I use my slice and variety. When the ball is there to hit, I try to make the most of it."
With this win, Dimitrov joins Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Daniil Medvedev, and Marin Cilic as the only active players to reach the quarter-finals of all Grand Slam and ATP Masters 1000 events. Now 28-8 for the 2024 season, Dimitrov will face second seed Jannik Sinner next, who defeated Corentin Moutet 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 in the quarter-finals.
