Grigor Dimitrov ended 2023 in fine form; he started 2024 in similar fashion.
Dimitrov, who comes into the new season at No. 14 in the world, survived a marquee Brisbane International first-round matchup with Andy Murray by prevailing 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 on Monday night. Murray was two games away from advancing after he broke back with Dimitrov serving at 5-4 in the second set, but the Bulgarian eventually pulled away after two hours and 25 minutes.
After getting another break at 5-5, Dimitrov saved two break points in the following game and held to force a decider. The 32-year-old broke at love to begin the third, surged to a quick 4-0 advantage, and never looked back. He clinched victory with his 13th ace at 5-2, ad-out.
“Here we go, kicking off a new year,” Dimitrov said afterward. “I had to keep on fighting; I had to keep on finding my shots and going after my game. I had to keep on believing in the work that I’ve put in. I just really want to enjoy every single time that I get out here and I don’t take it for granted.”
First-round action in Brisbane wraps up on Tuesday, when Rafael Nadal begins his comeback with a blockbuster matchup against Dominic Thiem.
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