Resurgent Grigor Dimitrov knocks out Gilles Simon
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ByEurosport
Updated 30/06/2016 at 15:58 GMT
Grigor Dimitrov dismissed 16th seed Gilles Simon 6-3 7-6(1) 3-6 6-4 with an exhibition of power, speed and deft touch in the second round at Wimbledon.
France's Gilles Simon in action against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov
Image credit: Reuters
The 25-year-old Bulgarian has suffered a slump since he reached a career-high ranking of nine in 2014, the year he beat defending champion Andy Murray to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals.
But now ranked 37th, he proved too tough a prospect for Simon - even though he admitted after the match he had lost concentration.
"I lost my focus a little bit," he said. "All of a sudden I got drawn into his rhythm... he's a pretty mellow fellow...
"I'm just glad I got it back."
After losing the third set and going a break down in the fourth, however, it took Dimitrov until the eighth game to regain the steely mindset enjoyed by seven-times champion Roger Federer.
Ramping up the pressure and finding that extra measure of creativity, he broke Simon's served twice in a row to win the match that had started on Wednesday evening.
He meets Steve Johnson of the United States in the third round.
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