Matching Report
Dimitrov beats Popyrin in Shanghai for 40th win of the year
Fritz enters the fourth round
October 08, 2024
Zhe Ji/Getty Images
Grigor Dimitrov defeated Alexei Popyrin on Tuesday in Shanghai.
By ATP staff
Is the Rolex Shanghai Masters where Grigor Dimitrov makes his move on the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin?
The Bulgarian faced a tough third round on Tuesday at the Chinese ATP Masters 1000 event, defeating Alexei Popyrin 7-6(5), 6-2. Dimitrov held firm in a tight first set before cruising to victory where he won by 97 percent (33/34) points after his first serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
With his 40th tour-level victory of 2024, Dimitrov tied for 10th place in the Live Race. The 33-year-old knows that a strong run in Shanghai could greatly increase his chances of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals, where he lifted the trophy in his only appearance in 2017.
“It’s one day at a time for me,” said Dimitrov, who has struggled on and off with injuries since he was forced to withdraw from his US Open quarter-final against Frances Tiafoe in August. “A lot of things have been going around, and at the same time I’m very grateful to be out here again. At the same time, getting games under my belt, back-to-back, is very important to me. ”
The statement won 😮💨@GrigorDimitrov defeated Alexei Popyrin 7-6(5) 6-2 to reach the round of 16 in Shanghai for the third time in a row.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/piumC1q1Ut
– ATP Tour (@atptour) October 8, 2024
Dimitrov surrendered just 14 unforced errors to Popyrin’s 28 en route to leveling the Lexus ATP Head2Head doubles series at 2-2. With his 88-minute victory, he avenged his Masters 1000 loss to Popyrin in August in Montreal, where the Australian saved three match points against Dimitrov in the third round before going on to lift the title.
“I had to stay in it. It’s a very difficult match,” said Dimitrov. “He’s a good hitter. It works amazingly, and every high ball in the middle, he just punishes you. So I had to stay calm and follow my game plan. I think I was actually hitting the ball well, so I’m happy to win.”
Next up for Dimitrov in Shanghai is a fourth round meeting with Jakub Mensik. The #NextGenATP Czech earlier defeated Alexander Shevchenko 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-2.
Another Top 10 star, Taylor Fritz, also won in straight sets on Tuesday. The American breezed past Yosuke Watanuki 6-3, 6-4 to reach the last 16 in Shanghai for the first time in five matches.
