Grigor Dimitrov very nearly threw it all away in the US Open fourth round yesterday, but managed to curb an Andrey Rublev comeback to win in five sets.
Having raced into a two-set lead in such dominant fashion, few could have envisioned a future where the Russian troubled the 2019 semi-finalist.
However, trouble him he did, winning two sets of his own and forcing the match into a decider.
All the effort expelled to get to that point seemed to ebb away for the crucial fifth set though, and Andrey Rublev wilted whilst Grigor Dimitrov returned to form.
In the end, it was a clash for the ages, and has seen the latter reach the quarter-finals with a very special guest watching from the stands.
Grigor Dimitrov sends on-court message to Serena Williams
Speaking on court after his battling victory, the interviewer could not talk about the match without first referencing one notable face in the crowd.
After all, whenever Serena Williams shows up at the US Open, it’s always bound to dominate headlines, as one of the greatest in the competition’s history.
However, her presence at Dimitrov’s match in particular, given the two were rumoured to have dated back in 2012, is of particular intrigue.
‘There’s an old friend of yours in the stands,’ the reporter started. ‘6 time US Open champion Serena Williams. Do you get nervous?’
Dimitrov replied, as coolly as ever: ‘For some reason not in front of her. She gave me a good pep talk yesterday.’
Serena Williams was also pictured watching a fellow American at the US Open this week too.
Could Grigor Dimitrov really win the US Open?
Whilst most tennis fans will have their favourites, and thus have their biases against certain rivals, it’s fair to say that most who follow the sport would not be unhappy to see Dimitrov lift the US Open this year.
After all, the Bulgarian must be one of the most universally-liked players on tour, going about his business with minimal fuss.
He always exudes calmness and composure, but never fails to crack a smile whilst playing some beautiful tennis and, crucially, keeping the legacy of the one-handed backhand alive too.
Having now beaten Rublev, the world number six, the fiercely in-form Frances Tiafoe awaits. It’s crazy to think that one of these two will be in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam tournament.
Dimitrov is just three wins away from immortality, and one victory away from matching his best-ever stage at a major.
History awaits for the 33-year-old who is enjoying a true renaissance in his tennis career.
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