Grigor Dimitrov got off to a wonderful start to the Rotterdam Open 2020 with a first round win over Denis Shapovalov. Both the players came into the event in poor form, losing in the first round in Montpellier. But the Bulgarian can finally get his season going with this victory.

Dimitrov won the match 6-3, 7-6(3), not giving Denis too many chances to hurt his serve.

Grigor Dimitrov talks game plan

After a shaky start to his service game, the Bulgarian managed to save two break points and hold service. This hold on the opening game went a long way in helping him beat Shapovalov.

Dimitrov took confidence from his hold of serve and broke the Canadian immediately to go 2-0 up. He never looked back, serving well for the rest of the match.

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Shapovalov too got into a good serving rhythm after a couple of nervy service games in the first set. But he could not hurt his opponent’s service despite having few chances and half-chances. Frustration started creeping in his game as the match went on.

Grigor Dimitrov wrapped up the opening match in 1 hour and 30 minutes, and now awaits the winner between Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jan-Lennard Struff for the second round.

Talking to Prakash Amritraj after, Dimitrov had an honest analysis of his match.

“It was important, early on in the match, just to make sure that I take his belief away, right away. I think that was the key.”

“Every opportunity that I had I was just using it in the right way. Or if I was missing, I was missing correct. So I kept on putting a lot of pressure on him. I definitely felt that he was very unsettled. Even though the second set was in a tiebreak, all I had to do was stay focused.”

“I had only one goal today and that was to return well. I knew the rest I can keep in control.”

Amritraj also asked Grigor if we would see more of his pajama track suit he wore at Australian Open, for the rest of the year.

“I love it. I’m going to try something else, probably crazier. It was good, I wanna do something like a tiger print next time or something like that. You need a bit of spice, right?” 

Well as long as he plays some good tennis like on Monday, we don’t mind him wearing anything, really.