Grigor Dimitrov has won his first ATP tournament in three years, taking out the Brisbane International in three hard fought sets against Kei Nishikori in a match that had plenty of momentum swings.
Nishikori might have been the favourite coming into the match, but it didn’t take him long to be found out by Dimitrov in the first set, who played some of the best tennis he has played in recent memory.
His backhand was on fire during the first set, and along with a good serve and his ever reliable forehand, he broke twice to take the early lead in just over half an hour.
He was aggressive against Nishikori’s serve and looked the better player – that was until the second set got going.
It was almost a tale of complete opposites as Nishikroi fired up his ever consistent game, getting the better of a well beaten Dimitrov at every turn who was simply not in the match for the most part of the set.
At the end of the second set though, with all the momentum Nishikori had to take a medical timeout and it reversed the momentum, Nishikori struggling to his first set position.
In the end, Dimitrov ended with another break and served it out convincingly as Nishikori made yet another unforced error.
Final score
Grigor Dimitrov 2 – 6,2,6
Kei Nishikori 1 – 2,6,3
Grigor Dimitrov will be out to pull off another surprise in the final of the Brisbane International when he takes on world No.5 and heavy favourite, the in-form Kei Nishikori. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8pm (AEDT).
Nishikori has long been on the next rung to the games biggest superstars, but based on the way he played against Stan Wawrinka yesterday, 2017 could be a big year for the Japanese veteran.
After getting his season off to a slow start against Jordan Donaldson, he recovered from dropping the first set to take it in three and advance to the third round where he met Jordan Thompson, smashing a 6-1, 6-1 victory.
The big battle was always going to be the semi-final effort against Wawrinka though, where he came up trumps in a straight sets demolition job.
While there are plenty of questions to be asked over Wawrinka’s game moving towards the first grand slam of the year, Nishikori’s form looked good.
He was serving at a high percentage and his groundstroke game was brilliant when compared with Wawrinka, particularly the way he was playing forehands across the court and his patience to stay in some long rallies during the first set was also excellent.
Dimitrov, on the other hand had to play in the first round, not being one of the top four seeds and picking up a bye and the world No.17 has only lost a single set out of his four matches so far.
None of the opponents Dimitrov has faced could be classified in the ‘easy beat’ category either, taking on Steven Johnson and Nicolas Mahut to get his season underway.
Dimitrov went onto drop a set against Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals, but it was a strong performance nonetheless before he came out to shock everyone and defeat defending champion Milos Raonic in a straight sets demolition.
The way he was able to handle the serve of the all-powerful Raonic was splendid to watch, and with Nishikori having a slower first serve it’s something he could pick apart here.
The pair have previously met on four occasions, with Nishikori winning each time. They have all been on the hard court, and Nishikori hadn’t dropped a set in the meetings until last time out in Toronto, where he dropped the second.
Prediction
Nishikori’s form has been splendid over the last two days and despite Dimitrov pulling off a monster upset over Raonic yesterday, it’s hard to see him going with the consistency of Nishikori over three sets.
Nishikori in three sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the men’s Brisbane International final from 8pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to drop a comment in the section below.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
Well that'll do us here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017 Brisbane International as Grigor Dimitrov took out the men's singles final over Kei Nishikori in a big upset. Hopefully you have enjoyed the coverage not only tonight, but over the last week. That isn't the end of the tennis though! Oh no! We have plenty coming up and it all starts with the Sydney International tomorrow. We will have live coverage of matches featuring Sam Stosur (I'll be live on that one from 1:30pm AEDT) and hopefully Casey Dellacqua while Riley Pettigrew will be live with the Fast 4 exhibition from 7:30pm. The Australian Open is only a week away and The Roar will have comprehensive coverage of that, as well as the Davis and Fed Cup to follow in the first two weeks of February. Anyway, Dimitrov celebrates a wonderful night here in Brisbane. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers Riley, If Dimitrov can be consistent, he has such a nice game! Strong everywhere, all over the court. He could be in for a massive summer.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Results Grigor Dimitrov has won his first ATP tournament in three years, taking out the Brisbane International in three hard fought sets against Kei Nishikori in a match that had plenty of momentum swings. Nishikori might have been the favourite coming into the match, but it didn't take him long to be found out by Dimitrov in the first set, who played some of the best tennis he has played in recent memory. His backhand was on fire during the first set, and along with a good serve and his ever reliable forehand, he broke twice to take the early lead in just over half an hour. He was aggressive against Nishikori's serve and looked the better player - that was until the second set got going. It was almost a tale of complete opposites as Nishikroi fired up his ever consistent game, getting the better of a well beaten Dimitrov at every turn who was simply not in the match for the most part of the set. At the end of the second set though, with all the momentum Nishikori had to take a medical timeout and it reversed the momentum, Nishikori struggling to his first set position. In the end, Dimitrov ended with another break and served it out convincingly as Nishikori made yet another unforced error. Grigor Dimitrov 6 2 6 Kei Nishikori 2 6 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Wow! What an upset, a brilliant match by Dimitrov. Looking forward to seeing what else he can produce over the summer. Thanks for the call Scotty.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, Grigor Dimitrov Fault for Dimitrov before Nishikori gets some good forehands in, but slices one long trying to take the pace out of it. Out it goes and Dimitrov wins the Brisbane International in 2017! Grigor Dimitrov 6 2 6 Kei Nishikori 2 6 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Dimitrov before Nishikori returns on the forehand, then is pushed wide and sends a forehand of his own into the net. Dimitrov have 3 championship points Dimitrov 6 2 5 - 40 Nishikori 2 6 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Dimitrov with a fault again before Nishikori returns well, but sends the next backhand into the net and throws the racquet into the ground. Bad unforced error. Dimitrov 6 2 5 - 30 Nishikori 2 6 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Dimitrov serving for the match here. Starts with a fault before Nishikori makes a bad mistake, sends a forehand long and then goes to change racquet. Dimitrov 6 2 5 - 15 Nishikori 2 6 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nishikori with another fault before Dimitrov opens up for a big forehand and gets on top of the point. Again playing with depth and Nishikori puts one wrong. Big shout of come on and all of a sudden Dimitrov is serving for the match. Dimitrov breaks! Dimitrov 6 2 5 - Nishikori 2 6 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Crucial time for a fault here from Nishikori and a long, long rally breaks out. Dimitrov playing with more depth, Nishikori not playing a great game to the forehand and he eventually puts a ball into the net. Dimitrov 6 2 4 - 40 Nishikori 2 6 3 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nishikori with a good serve here before Dimitrov returns across the court. Nishikori gets to a ball but hits one out going down the line. Big point right here Dimitrov 6 2 4 - 30 Nishikori 2 6 3 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Nishikori before Dimitrov attacks the second with a backhand. Slices his way into the point before hitting a ripping forehand into the open court. Dimitrov 6 2 4 - 15 Nishikori 2 6 3 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nishikori comes up with a fault now but a second serve ACE! Down the middle and Dimitrov didn't read that at all. Dimitrov 6 2 4 - 0 Nishikori 2 6 3 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nishikori on serve and this is absolutely crucial. Starts well and then puts a forehand into the corner before Dimitrov returns into the net. Dimitrov 6 2 4 - 0 Nishikori 2 6 3 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide first serve from Dimitrov and Nishikori returns a backhand into the net. Crucial hold of serve coming up for Nishikori then. Dimitrov 6 2 4 - Nishikori 2 6 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault on the first serve this time from Dimitrov before he goes to the body of Nishikori who attacks and works his way to the net, but can't answer the backhand passing slice down the line. Dimitrov 6 2 3 - 40 Nishikori 2 6 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Dimitrov with a fault before Nishikori comes back with a nice forehand. Dimitrov with a nice aggressive approach to the net and Nishikori puts one wide. Dimitrov 6 2 3 - 30 Nishikori 2 6 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Big serve down the T from Dimitrov before he comes forward and smokes a forehand down the line. Dimitrov 6 2 3 - 15 Nishikori 2 6 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ouch. Dimitrov has slipped over trying to change directions here after a nice looking forehand. Didn't look too nasty and he is back to his feet. Dimitrov 6 2 3 - Nishikori 2 6 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nice serve angled at the body of Dimitrov here but he plays good defence out of the corner until Nishikori doesn't quite judge one and puts a backhand into the net. Dimitrov 6 2 3 - 15 Nishikori 2 6 2 - 40