Dimitrov Reaches First Final In 5 Years, Advances In Geneva

Is this the week Grigor Dimitrov ends his six-year wait for a tour-level title?

The Bulgarian defeated second seed Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(2) on Friday at the Gonet Geneva Open to snap an 11-match losing streak in tour-level semi-finals.

In an epic clash at the ATP 250 clay-court event, Dimitrov battled hard to earn his first Top 10 win of the season. The 32-year-old demonstrated great agility to hang in points, before he turned the tables with his dynamic shotmaking to advance after two hours and 52 minutes.

"It was a crazy match. I am very pleased with the way I fought and the fans were amazing today," Dimitrov said. "It feels great [to reach the final] but the job is not over. I don't take any matches lightly. I came here with a purpose and I intend to finish it up tomorrow."

Dimitrov is chasing his first tour-level title since 2017, when he triumphed at the Nitto ATP Finals. The Bulgarian, up four spots to No. 29 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, will meet Nicolas Jarry in the championship match.

With his 15th tour-level victory of the season, Dimitrov has reached his first final since Rotterdam in 2018. Earlier this week he overcame Roberto Carballes Baena in straight sets and Christopher O’Connell in three sets.

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In the second semi-final of the day, Jarry upset Alexander Zverev 7-6(3), 6-3 to reach his fifth ATP Tour final.

The Chilean, who defeated Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals, produced an impressive serving performance against third-seeded German Zverev. He won 90 per cent (43/48) of points behind his first delivery and did not face a break point to advance after one hour and 48 minutes.

Jarry is aiming to win his third tour-level title this week and second of the season, having triumphed on clay in Santiago. The 27-year-old, currently No. 40 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, also reached the championship match in Geneva in 2019, falling against Zverev.