Dimitrov Beats Murray in Miami

March 29, 2016 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

Grigor Dimitrov notched a huge victory on Monday afternoon in Miami, coming back from a set down to upend second-ranked Andy Murray 6-7(1), 6-4, 6-3 and reach the Miami Open fourth round.

The win was Dimitrov’s first against a player inside the top 10 since he defeated Stan Wawrinka in Madrid in May 2015.

“To be honest, I just played better in the big moments today. I had quite a few opportunities and I used them. Even though I lost the first set, I kept good composure. I had to stay in the match and I had to be really focused. I think when I was 3-1 down in the third set, I knew I was going to get another chance because I was returning well and playing well in the key moments. I’m happy with all those things.”

After the two traded sets, Dimitrov fell behind 1-3 in the third set as Murray seemed to be on his way to the victory. But Dimitrov dug in and rattled off the final five games of the set to close out the match and pick up his biggest win of 2016.

While Murray gave credit to Dimitrov, his 55 unforced errors proved to be too costly.

“[I made] a lot of unforced errors in the third set. Obviously, I didn’t start the second set particularly well,” said Murray. “After winning a close first set you want to try and put your opponent under pressure. I think I lost my first two service games to love, so that wasn’t very good. Then in the third set, he managed to get up a break and then I made a lot of unforced errors. Credit to him. He was more solid than me.”

The Bulgarian now moves on to face 16th seed Gael Monfils of France. Monfils powered past 23rd seed Pablo Cuevas 6-3, 6-4 in his match on Monday.

The last two Americans left in the draw were eliminated on Monday, as both Tim Smyczek and Jack Sock fell in straight sets.

24th seed Nick Kyrgios took out Smyczek 6-4, 6-4, while 12th seed Milos Raonic ousted the 22nd seed Sock 7-6(3), 6-4.

Sixth-seed Kei Nishikori, 17th seed Roberto Bautista-Agut, Andrey Kuznetsov and Damir Dzumhur rounded out Monday’s winners.


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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