Dimitrov powers past Fognini to reach Monte-Carlo third round
Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov played one of his better matches this year in defeating Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-4 on April 15 to reach the third round of the Monte-Carlo Masters for a third year in a row.
Dimitrov showed no signs of the service yips that have troubled him at times this season, putting in 75 per cent of his first service in play and recording four aces and no double faults. He faced only one break-point all day and closed both sets decisively, avoiding another long match on the heels of his two-and-a-half three-setter in the first round.
“It was a pretty tight match, just one break in each set,” Dimitrov said after the match. “He played quite well. All I could do was stay focused and composed. I’m just taking it match-by-match, considering I’ve not won that many this year. I’m working on my movement on court and on my shots.”
He will next play defending Monte-Carlo champion Stan Wawrinka. The two have met three times, with Wawrinka having the edge 2-1, but Dimitrov won their last match, on grass at Queen’s last year.
(Grigor Dimitrov, photo: mirsasha/flickr.com)
