Dimitrov schools Austrian Novak to reach second round
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[January 15, 2018]
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Grigor
Dimitrov looked every inch the potential grand slam champion as he
schooled qualifier Dennis Novak 6-3 6-2 6-1 to reach the second
round of the Australian Open on Monday.
The Bulgarian third seed, a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park last
year, barely got out of first gear as he displayed his considerable
range of skills to oust his Austrian opponent in just 98 minutes on
Rod Laver Arena.
The 26-year-old, who finished last season with the biggest win of
his career at the ATP Tour finals, hit 21 winners and toyed with his
outclassed opponent at times.
The world number three sealed victory on his second match point when
Novak netted a backhand and will next face another qualifier in
either American Mackenzie McDonald or Swede Elias Ymer.
"I just tried to be compact, focused, really use every opportunity I
had and save some energy," Dimitrov said in a courtside interview.
Dimitrov's London triumph and his career high seeding have brought
him to Melbourne Park as one of favorites to land the year's first
grand slam.
Beaten in a five-set thriller by Rafael Nadal in the semis at last
year's Australian Open, Dimitrov clearly believes he is embarking on
another long campaign in Melbourne.
"It's always been a dream of mine," he said when asked about his
grand slam ambitions.
"I've achieved a few things that I always wanted already but this is
the next step.
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Dimitrov hits a shot. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
"I'm not going to lie, I'm not going to try and be too modest, but
it's match-by-match and the only thing I can do is give 100 percent
and build in every match that I have."
Dimitrov has flattered to deceive before of course, landing in
Australia almost every year with a new reason, and often a new
coach, to explain why this season would be the one where he would
finally fulfil his incredible potential.
A reasonably good draw has left him with Nick Kyrgios and
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as the main potential barriers to the
quarter-finals but Dimitrov reiterated that he was not looking past
his match against McDonald or Ymer.
"I've seen Ymer play a few of times, I've played him once on clay,
but every match you play, you have to perform and never
underestimate your opponent, simple as that," he added.
"I'm looking on my side of the net, that's all, I'm just excited,
I'm enjoying the game, everything is good."
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by John O'Brien/Peter
Rutherford)
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