Dimitrov completes thrilling comeback to move into semifinal
Chengdu Open fifth seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas offered up a master class in returning serve as he overcame top seeded world No.10 Dominic Thiem 6-1, 6-4 in just 59 minutes to make his third ATP World Tour semifinal appearance of the year.
The Spaniard saved the only break point he faced during the match while converting three out of six break opportunities he created against his 23-year-old opponent to round up his second victory over a top ten opponent this year.
“Today I was returning serve very well. It is not easy to return his serve but today I was returning so well. I've played on this court a couple of times already, so I have a lot of rhythm and I felt today I was playing so good,” said the 28-year-old, who picked up his maiden career title at Bastad in July.
The Spaniard will face third seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov for the third time on tour in tomorrow’s semifinal showdown, having lost in the previous two meetings in 2012 and 2014.
“Grigor is a great player. He is playing so good. He came back to his first racquet and he is playing much better. I think it would be a difficult match. But I hope I will play like today,” said Ramos-Vinolas.
Meanwhile, Dimitrov had to fight back from a set down to overcome in-from Argentinian Diego Schwartzman 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours and three minutes to make his fifth ATP Tour semifinal appearance of the year.
The world No.21, who made the finals in Sydney and Istanbul, where he lost to Schwartzman, was down 2-4 in the second set and looked destined for a second consecutive defeat against his 24-year-old opponent.
However, 25-year-old Dimitrov won the next eight points on the trot, breaking his opponent’s serve for the first time in the match, and with the crowd cheering him on, took the next two games for a remarkable comeback.
“He played really well at the beginning of the match. Whatever I was trying was not working. I tried to overpower him a little bit but he's the type of player who will not give you anything for free. I had to fight and find a new way to rattle him. I think after that break, at 4-3 in the second set, the momentum start to shift a bit,” said the former world No. 8 ranked Bulgarian.
Both singles semifinals along with the remaining doubles semifinal will be played on Centre Court tomorrow from 2pm onwards.
The first match sees exciting Russian youngster Karen Khachanov taking on sixth seed Viktor Troicki in his first ever ATP World Tour semifinal appearance, while Ramos-Vinolas and Dimitrov are set to take to court following that match, but not before 5pm local time.
The final match of the day will see fourth seeded pair Pablo Carreno Busta and Mariusz Fyrstenberg, playing together for the first time here in Chengdu, take on the Canadian-Swedish combo of Adil Shamasdin and Andreas Siljestrom, who are in the semifinals of a tournament for the first time as a duo.
Tickets for the Chengdu Open main draw matches through to the finals available through www.damai.cn and www.piao.com.cn
The tournament is owned by IMG and is organized by the Chinese Tennis Association and Chengdu Municipal Government, is co-organized by Chengdu Sports Bureau, Shuangliu District Government and Chengdu Culture Tourism Group and is promoted by Sichuan Investment International Tennis Centre Development Co., Ltd., CCTV IMG (Beijing) Sports Management Co. Ltd. and IMG Sports Development (Shanghai) Limited.
The tournament is proud to have the distinguished support from ATP World Tour’s Premier Partner Emirates, St. Regis Chengdu, Erke, Sichuan Tennis International Hotel, Yonex, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur, Srixon, West China Metropolis, Chengdu Radio and TV Station, Shenzhen Hundred-Meter Life Shares Co., Ltd., Ice Age, Sichuan Mengding Tea Co.Ltd. and GuoHao 1573.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Ms. Robecta Yeung, ph: +852-28940204 or +86-13760373443 or by email Robecta.Yeung@img.com.
About the 2016 Chengdu Open
Please visit: www.ChengduOpenTennis.com
About Chinese Tennis Association
Please visit: www.tennis.org.cn
About Chengdu City
Please visit: www.chengdu.gov.cn
About Chengdu Sports Bureau
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About Shuangliu District
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About Chengdu Culture Tourism Group
Please visit: www.cdctg.com
About Sichuan Investment International Tennis Centre Development Co., Ltd.
Please visit: sichuantennisinternationalhotel.com
About CCTV-IMG Sports Management Company
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About IMG
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About the ATP World Tour
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