Dimitrov Holds Off Goffin to Win ATP Finals

November 20, 2017 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Dimitrov (9)
Photo Credit: Calvin Rhoden

 

Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov capped off the best season of his career by capturing the biggest trophy of his career on Sunday, knocking off Belgium’s David Goffin 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to win the Nitto ATP Finals at the O2 Arena in London.

“This makes me even more locked in, more excited about my work, and for what’s to come,” said Dimitrov. “It’s a great platform for me to build on for next year. It’s going to be amazing in the offseason. I know what I have to do in order to do good.”

The win was the fifth straight for Dimitrov at the end-of-the-year finals, which included a straight-sets win over Goffin in round-robin play earlier in the week. As the two entered a deciding third set in Sunday’s final, it seemed as if Goffin would have the advantage after he defeated both Federer and Nadal in decisive third sets already in London.

But Dimitrov fought back to earn the only break point of the final set in the sixth game, and three games later, served out the match to capture the title.

With the victory, Dimitrov finishes the season with a career-high ranking of No. 3 in the world, while Goffin climbs up to a career-high ranking of No. 7.


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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