Grigor Dimitrov claims 2024 Brisbane International title triumph with win over Holger Rune
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Updated 07/01/2024 at 11:23 GMT
Grigor Dimitrov won his first ATP title in seven years as he beat No. 1 seed Holger Rune at the Brisbane International on Sunday. The Bulgarian last won an ATP title, the ATP Finals, back in 2017 but as he prepares for the Australian Open later this month he received a morale boost with a straight-sets victory against promising Danish player Rune.
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Grigor Dimitrov defeated Holger Rune 7-6(5) 6-4 in the Brisbane International final on Sunday in Australia.
Dimitrov, a champion in Brisbane back in 2017 - the same year he was a semi-finalist at the Australian Open - reached the final with a win on Saturday against Jordan Thompson, who beat Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.
The 20-year-old Rune, the No. 1 seed at the tournament, defeated Roman Safiullin in his previous match as he looked to prepare for the upcoming Grand Slam, where his best performance was a quarter-final finish last year.
The 32-year-old Bulgarian might have been the underdog but he was in better form when it mattered, and he edged the first set as he used his experience to take the lead on a tie-break.
He continued to press Rune, recovering from a mid-point slip early in the second set to stay in contention.
A break of serve allowed him to move 5-3 ahead and just a game from victory, in what would be his first ATP title since 2017, when he won the season-ending ATP Final in one of the best years of his career.
That left the Dane needing to hold serve to stay in the match, and he was taken to deuce, but he managed to hold on for one more game.
Dimitrov then sent down his eighth ace of the match to wrap up the second, decisive set to end his long title drought.
"It’s been a while since I held one of these, it’s a bit emotional,” Dimitrov said. "My love affair started here many years ago in Brisbane and it continues. I’m very thankful to lift the trophy again.”
Dimitrov also revealed that his parents had to fly home before the final began.
"I told them goodbye before the match and I was checking the clock a few times to see if I would finish the match a little earlier but unfortunately it was not that easy,” Dimitrov added.
"But it's been amazing to have them around the past two to three weeks. They have to go back to work, have to go back to their own lives. I think we have a great balance the way we see each other. I'm going to try to make that happen more throughout the year."
Despite his loss, Rune was in a positive mood, saying: "It’s a great start to the year and we have a lot to build on. Hopefully we can go one step further at the Australian Open.”
Rublev takes Hong Kong crown
In Hong Kong, Andrey Rublev won the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open, beating Emil Ruusuvuori 6-4 6-4.
The title is the Russian's 15th on the ATP Tour, and is Ruusuvuori's second appearance - and defeat - in a tour-level final.
"It is a great feeling," Rublev said. "I enjoyed my week a lot here. It is a great feeling to start the season with the title. I liked the city, the tournament and I played good tennis.
"I think I played a high level in the final. It will give me more confidence for Australian Open."
The Australian Open starts on Sunday January 14, and will be live on Eurosport and discovery+.
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