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Grigor Dimitrov -78- (BUL) def [3] Roger Federer -03- (SUI)
Match recap from Arthur Ashe Stadium announcer Andy Taylor.
Tonight, 5-time champion Roger Federer won the first set in just over 30-minutes. While most in Arthur Ashe Stadium anticipated a royal beat-down – hopeful for a Federer-Nadal Final – those watching closely knew instantly that this was the 2017 Dimitrov, not the Grigor who’d lost six of his last seven matches since Roland Garros. Truth is, Federer didn’t win set-1, Grigor handed it to him with 3 doubles faults before the first changeover.
As you’ll see in the match recap below, a double fault put him in position to lose set-2 as well. But Dimitrov rallied to break back, turning the match into a best of three…
…and in set-3, his 6th double fault put him down 1-2. Rather than dim the lights, the World #78 (yes, that’s correct) made Roger work. Grigor broke to open the set. But the most critical game came at 4-2. Federer recovered from 0-40, then endured long rallies and eight deuces before finally earning the hold. 3-games later, Dimitrov recovered from 0-40 and fought through three deuces to force a decider.
Those two games determined the match. Federer was hurting (upper back). He took an extended medical time out, then graciously returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium to accept his fate.
Tonight was Roger’s 56th career Grand Slam Quarterfinal, Dimitrov’s 5th. On Thursday, Grigor will face the red-hot Daniil Medvedev in his 3rd Major Semifinal | 2014 Wimbledon and 2017 Australian Open.
NEXT: Grigor Dimitrov -78- (BUL) vs [5] Daniil Medvedev -05- (RUS)
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Quarterfinal Biography | Grigor Dimitrov -78- (BUL)
This 28-year-old, 2-time Grand Slam Semifinalist is through to the US Open Quarterfinals for the first time. The most successful Bulgarian man in the history of the sport – In 2014, he reached his first Grand Slam Semifinal at the Australian Open. 3-years later, he reached the Semi’s at Wimbledon, won his first Masters-1000 title in Cincinnati, climbed to a career-high ranking of World #3, and captured the year championship in his ATP Finals debut. He now owns 8 ATP Singles titles, has reached 15 Finals, and has earned 23 victories over top-10 opponents. Competing in his 5th Grand Slam Quarterfinal – From Bulgaria, please welcome Grigor Dimitrov.
▲ QF: def [3] Roger Federer -03- (SUI) 36 64 36 64 62
▲ R4: def Alex de Minaur -38- (AUS) 75 63 64
▲ R3: def [Q] Kamil Majchrzak -94- (POL) 75 76(8) 62
▲ R2: -WALKOVER- Borna Coric -12- (CRO)
▲ R1: def Andreas Seppi -77- (ITA) 61 67(2) 64 63
Quarterfinal Biography | [3] Roger Federer -03- (SUI)
He is arguably the greatest player in the history of the game. With 6 titles at the Australian Open, 1 Roland Garros victory, 8 Wimbledon crowns and 5 titles here in 2004, 05, 06, 07 and 08 – he owns a record 20 career Majors and the Career Grand Slam. He’s an Olympic Gold Medalist, a Davis Cup Champion, is a 2-time Laver Cup Champion with Team Europe, and has captured the year-end ATP Finals a record 6-times. This year, he’s won 3-titles, reached 5-Finals, and now owns a remarkable 103 career Singles titles in all. Ranked World #1 for a record 310 weeks, no other man has contested more Major Finals – last month’s thrilling, deciding-set championship match at Wimbledon was his 31st Grand Slam Final. From Basel, Switzerland – please welcome 7-time Finalist and 5-time US Open Champion, Roger Federer.
▲ R4: def [15] David Goffin -15- (BEL) 62 62 60
▲ R3: def Daniel Evans -58- (GBR) 62 62 61
▲ R2: def Damir Dzumhur -99- (BIH) 36 62 63 64
▲ R1: def [Q] Sumit Nagal -190- (IND) 46 61 62 64
Head to Head
This was the 8th meeting between these two players and 3rd at a Grand Slam. Roger Federer has won all of their previous matches. Before tonight, they most recently met in the 2018 Rotterdam Final, where Roger Federer reclaimed the World #1 ranking for the first time in 5-years.
