Dimitrov stuns Alcaraz with dominant performance in Miami quarter-finals

Grigor Dimitrov was playing in the Miami Open quarter-finals for the first time in his career. To reach the semis he would have to get past none other than top seed Carlos Alcaraz.

On paper it was a daunting task. As it turned out on the court, it was no problem at all for Dimitrov. The 32-year-old delivered an incredible display of tennis to upset Alcaraz 6-2, 6-4 on Thursday night. Dimitrov set up a Friday showdown against Alexander Zverev after one hour and 32 minutes.

Dimitrov was completely dominant throughout the entire first set. He broke Alcaraz twice and maintained a comfortable lead by saving all four of the break points he faced.

The Bulgarian started the second set in similar fashion, racing to 4-1 advantage. His lone hiccup came when he got broken to love at 4-2, but the Alcaraz charged proved to be extremely brief. Dimitrov eventually broke the 20-year-old Spaniard with ease at 5-4 to clinch victory in style.

it was a very great match on my end

Grigor Dimitrov

It was top 10 kind of level from Dimitrov’s side, and that is exactly where he will find himself next week if he defeats Zverev in the semis. Dimitrov has not been in the ATP top 10 since November of 2018.

Once again, on paper the world No 12 will be an underdog. But if he plays like did against Alcaraz, anything is possible.

“In order to win against him, you have to play at your best,” Dimitrov said of the two-time Grand Slam champion. “That’s just how it is. I was very focused and extremely clear with what I had to do. I was really able to dictate the game. It was a very great match on my end.”

Dimitrov is now 2-3 lifetime against Alcaraz, having also prevailed last fall in Shanghai (5-7, 6-2, 6-4). The former world No 3 takes a 1-7 head-to-head record with him into Friday’s contest against Zverev. Dimitrov has lost seven matches in a row to the German.

“It is how it is — just another opponent for me right now,” Dimitrov commented. I don’t want to overthink too much. Honestly it’s just another match. I’m just happy to be in the semi-finals — the furthest I’ve been at this event.”

DIMITROV LEAVES ALCARAZ WITH NO ANSWERS

It was still a productive Sunshine Double for Alcaraz, especially considering that he ended 2023 in a slump and also suffered a sprained ankle in Rio de Janeiro. But the world No 2 showcased his best level since last summer, capturing the Indian Wells title before reaching the quarter-finals in Miami.

Alcaraz did not even play too poorly on Thursday; he simply got outclassed by a red-hot opponent.

“He played amazing tennis,” Alcaraz said of Dimitrov. “Almost perfect if I can say. I couldn’t find solution, a way to make him feel uncomfortable on the court. (It was) a great game on his side.

“I think I played a good tennis. I left the court thinking that probably I needed to [raise] my game a little bit earlier…. I have frustration right now because he made me feel like I’m 13 years old. That was crazy. I told to my team that I didn’t know what to do.”

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