Bulgarian Tennis Star Dimitrov Secures Another Hard-Fought Win at Paris Masters

Grigor Dimitrov, Bulgaria's top tennis player, secured his 45th win of the season with a hard-fought comeback in the Paris Masters 1000 indoor tournament. Seeded eighth, Dimitrov defeated Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-7(9), 6-3, 7-5 in a match that lasted 2 hours and 43 minutes, marking one of the most successful seasons in his career.

Dimitrov, who opted to serve first, initially led 40-0 but struggled with a double fault and some missed chances, eventually needing to save a break point before finally winning the opening game after seven minutes. In the fourth game, Dimitrov earned a break point, but world No. 40 Etcheverry saved it with a skillful drop shot. Soon after, Dimitrov faced two break points of his own at 15-40 but managed to save both with strong forehands. The set stretched to a tiebreak, where the score was balanced at 3-3 before Etcheverry earned a set point at 6-5. Dimitrov held off that and two more set points, eventually reaching his own at 9-8 but failing to convert. Echeverri finally took the set on his fourth chance, closing it in 72 minutes with a shot that clipped the edge of Dimitrov's frame.

In the second set, Dimitrov raised his level, minimizing errors and breaking for a 3-2 lead, which he consolidated with a clean game. Etcheverry, serving to stay in the set at 3-5, fought off three set points before Dimitrov claimed the fourth to take the set, thanks to a shot from the Argentine that went long.

The final set saw Dimitrov with a chance to break early in the second game, though he missed the opportunity. He reached match point in the 12th game following a prolonged rally and capitalized instantly, with Echeverri sending a return out.