US Open: Sensation - Roger Federer lost to Grigor Dimitrov in five sets
Roger Federer left the quarter-finals of the 2019 US Open. Federer lost to the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6: 3, 3: 6, 6: 3, 4: 6 and 6: 2. Dimiitrov meets Daniil Medvedev on Friday.
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Sep 04, 2019, 05:52 am
By Jens Huiber from New York City
When Roger Federer competes against Grigor Dimitrov in a competitive game, it feels good. And right. The Swiss had won all seven encounters with the Bulgarian before the quarter-finals at the 2019 US Open, with the most recent, in Rotterdam in 2018, Federer even returned to the top of the ATP world rankings. However, this series ended on Tuesday evening. Dimitrov won 3: 6, 6: 3, 3: 6, 6: 4 and 6: 2 and plays on Friday for his first final with a major.
So the match started with clear signs - and Grigor Dimitrov did little to hide his outsider role. The Bulgarian gave up the first service game, after a little more than 32 minutes, set one went to Federer with 6: 3. Dimitrov, however, only at position 78 in the ATP charts, was brave. And made significantly fewer mistakes than Federer. In the second act, he quickly fell behind with a break, although he managed the rebreak to 4: 5 - again due to a double mistake by Dimitrov - but had to give up his service immediately. Record adjustment.
Federer hands over tax
In the third set, Dimitrov was able to convert a 0:40 into a game win at 2-2. however, it should remain his last in this round. Roger Federer now seemed to have arrived in the driver's seat. And gave up his serve right at the beginning of the fourth set. Again, the 38-year-old was sloppy, even though Dimitrov unpacked a formidable forehand ball. In the sixth game Federer could not take a chance of the rebreak, Dimitrov's self-confidence seemed to grow by the minute.
# BETATHOMEUSWIN #
There is no question that the 28-year-old can play excellent tennis. After winning the ATP finals in November 2017, Dimitrov had lost the thread. In the eighth match against Federer he seemed to find him again - the nerve strength alone with which Dimitrov withdrew four chances of Federer in the last game of the fourth set spoke volumes.
Medvedev is waiting in the semi-finals
Before the decision-making sentence began, Federer left the place - accompanied by the physiotherapist. Three minutes later, the 38-year-old was back on the court and made his first serve game. The break to 3: 0 was finally the sign of victory Dimitrov. The Bulgarian was allowed to celebrate after 3:12 hours of play - and thus has another chance after the Australian Open 2017 to reach his first major final. At that time, Dimitrov was inferior to Rafael Nadal in an epic match in the semifinals.
Daniil Medvedev is waiting for the semi-finals of New York 2019 on Friday. The Russian had prevailed against Stan Wawrinka in four sets. In a match in which neither player could act at the level of his creative ability: While Medvedev had major problems with his thigh, especially at the beginning, Wawrinka admitted to the Swiss press after the game that he had gone into his match with a minor illness. Grigor Dimitrov played twice against Medvedev. The balance is balanced.
Dimitrov had traveled to New York without his two coaches Andre Agassi and Radek Stepanek - which the Bulgarian interpreted in a post-match interview with darren Cahill as a wake-up call. He will now analyze the match. And use the next two days to prepare for Daniil Medvedev.