Grigor Dimitrov’s impossible reaction to beat Zverev, be a finalist at the Miami Masters 1,000 and return to the ATP Top Ten

Not in vain Grigor Dimitrov they called him Little Federer at the beginning of his career. For the surprising resemblance to the Swiss’ elegant one-handed backhand, but also for the excellent conditions he has shown since adolescence and which invited us to imagine him as a future Grand Slam champion.

He lacked the consistency to meet such high expectations, but this week in the Miami Masters 1000 He is proving that he has the tennis to compete with (and beat) the best tennis players in the world. And he also showed his plasticity on the court, as seen in the point that sealed his only break in the third set against Alexander Zverev, when he remained on the ground after executing a decisive volley.

He had just given the tournament a big blow in the quarterfinals by comfortably beating (6-2 and 6-4) Carlos Alcaraz, number two in the world and a big favorite to win the title, and now he eliminated in the semifinals Zverev (5th) by 6-4, 6-7 and 6-4 in two hours and 35 minutes of play in the Hard Rock Stadium. Additionally, he had previously defeated No. 9 Hubert Hurkacz.

In this way he will return to the Top Ten after five and a half years. He managed to overthrow Alex Di Miñaur (10th) and Hurkacz himself (9th) to place himself at least ninth in the ATP ranking, while He will move up to seventh place if he manages to beat Jannik Sinner on Sunday and become champion.

If he wins, this will be his second Masters 1000 title. The only one won so far, in Cincinnati in 2017, was as part of another brilliant run of tennis by the 32-year-old Bulgarian, who weeks later in At the end of the season is ATP champion Finals and reaches third place in the world rankings. Tomorrow you will have a new opportunity to remember Federer.