Grigor Dimitrov’s Monte Carlo Clash with Rafael Nadal May Foreshadow Greatness

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: April 23, 2013

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Grigor Dimitrov is not yet a household name to those who do not follow the ATP tour, but the 21-year-old Bulgarian tennis pro may have foreshadowed greatness with a standout performance at the Monte Carlo Masters against mighty Rafael Nadal.

He dismantled No. 10-ranked Janko Tipsarevic in the second round, highlighted by a ridiculous backhand dive that left his opponent shaking his head. He closed out the match in dominating fashion and with little discernible self-adulation.

In the quarterfinals, nobody would have blinked an eye had Dimitrov been crushed by clay king Nadal. After losing a quick first set 6-2, it appeared that Dimitrov had hit the wall. There would be some fine parting gifts and talk of taking the next step, but the match was over, right?

 

Not Baby Federer

The most unfortunate part of Dimitrov’s career is the unfair label “Baby Federer.” While the moniker was intended to describe his potential talent and skills set, it’s an impossible comparison or standard for any future player. There will never be another Federer, Nadal, Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg or Pete Sampras.

The moniker is also a misrepresentation of Dimitrov’s style and strengths. It’s too easy to simply point out that he can be an all-court player with a single-backhand. Rather, his match against Nadal revealed obvious and subtle parts to a potentially exciting championship career that will be an original copy.

There he was on Monte Carlo’s red clay, facing a cavernous deficit against the most intimidating set of circumstances—Nadal seeking nine straight years of titles with only a handful of lost sets in a decade.

Dimitrov locked into Nadal’s patterns with more acute anticipation and purpose. He understood the Spaniard’s gameplan to try and beat down his backhand and open the court for his inside-out forehand. He defended and then r...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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