Dimitrov dispatches Tiafoe with ease to advance at Wimbledon
Sports
Grigor Dimitrov dispatched Frances Tiafoe in straight sets to move into fourth round of Wimbledon.
LONDON (Reuters) - Grigor Dimitrov dispatched American 10th seed Frances Tiafoe in straight sets with a convincing 6-2 6-3 6-2 victory on Sunday to move into the fourth round of Wimbledon where he will meet Danish sixth seed Holger Rune.
Tiafoe arrived at the All England Club having captured his first grasscourt title at the Stuttgart Open last month but it was the experienced Dimitrov, a former semi-finalist here and Queen's Club finalist last month, who prevailed over two days.
"He's such a dangerous player and I knew I had to be very focused. He's the type of player that has a great serve, great return. So I was just looking after my game," Dimitrov said.
"The past weeks have been, in a way, very amazing weeks for me out here in England. I'm just enjoying every single day... It's amazing to be also in the second week. I love playing on Sunday."
The first things Tiafoe highlighted when asked to give his thoughts on Dimitrov prior to the match were the Bulgarian's first serve, his net game and his slice.
Tiafoe had clearly done his homework, having beaten Dimitrov four years ago at the Australian Open in a last-16 clash he described as "an absolute war", but this time the American had no answer for the variety of shots in his opponent's arsenal.
Dimitrov did not disappoint and was virtually unstoppable on serve, firing 13 aces and winning 92% of his first serve points to go two sets up and leave Tiafoe on the ropes before play was suspended on Saturday early in the third set.
When they resumed on Sunday, Dimitrov consolidated an early break and a restless Tiafoe lost his cool in no time.
The 25-year-old took his frustration out on a ball by launching it into orbit between points before smashing his racquet repeatedly during a changeover.
Dimitrov, on the other hand, was calm and collected as the 32-year-old went about his business with powerful shots from the baseline and flawless touches at the net to fire 33 winners, leaving the younger and faster Tiafoe with no answers.
The Bulgarian brought up three match points without breaking a sweat and sealed victory with a deft volley at the net after sending Tiafoe desperately scrambling for a return.
When asked about his next match-up against an even younger Rune, who is 12 years his junior, Dimitrov simply shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm 32! Honestly, for me, I'm not looking at anything right now, at age or any of these things. I'm really focusing on my side of the net and looking after my game," he said with a laugh.
"He's young, talented and a very dangerous player. But so am I, minus the young part!"
