‘Tired’ Dimitrov stays the course to reach last four

Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov came from behind to to beat Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final of the season at Indian Wells on Thursday.

After Hurkacz had broken Dimitrov for the second time to claim the first set 6-3, the Bulgarian took an early 2-0 lead in the second before having to fight off a comeback from Hurkacz to eventually level the match.

“I stayed in it. Especially after that it was very hard for me to find my range today,” Dimitrov said.

“I was a little bit tired from yesterday and did not feel I really had enough time to rest and push, but I still felt I had something in me.”

The deciding set was a cliffhanger, with both players breaking points as Dimitrov first saved two in the third game and then jumped to a 5-2 lead before Hurkacz broke back to make it 4-5 as Dimitrov was serving for the match.

The tiebreak went Dimitrov’s way 7-2 and the Bulgarian said afterwards he knew he had to be more aggressive if he wanted to win.

“I started reading his serve a little bit more and I had a few a more looks. I kept trying and believing and I think that made the difference,” Dimitrov said.