ATP Finals: Grigor Dimitrov beats Jack Sock to set up final with David Goffin

23:48 · SAT November 18, 2017

by Andy Schooler, at The O2

Grigor Dimitrov held his nerve to complete a come-from-behind victory over Jack Sock and set up a final meeting with giantkiller David Goffin at the ATP Finals.

Having lost the first set, the Bulgarian stormed through the second without losing a game before edging a tight third to win 4-6 6-0 6-3 - a fact made all the better by his previous struggles against his American foe.

Dimitrov had blown four match points against Sock in Indian Wells earlier this year, and another in their meeting before that in Montreal in 2015.

Such thoughts must have been flowing through his mind when, serving for the match, three chances to close out came and went.

But he fended off two break-back points before finally sealing victory when Sock netted.

He'll now face Goffin in Sunday's final, the Belgian having earlier stunned Roger Federer with another comeback success.

Despite Goffin’s upset win – and his victory over world number one Rafael Nadal earlier in the week - Dimitrov is a 4/9 favourite for that one having dismantled the Belgian 6-0 6-2 in their group-stage meeting on Wednesday. That took their tour-level head to head record to 4-1 in Dimitrov’s favour, a record extended to 7-1 if you include matches from Challengers and Futures matches.

Dimitrov admitted after his latest win he could just "press replay" and repeat Wednesday's match.

"This match is in the past. I wish I could just press 'replay'. I'm sure neither one of us is going to think about that. He's a very intelligent player, knows his way around the court very well. Any given day, any particular moments, he makes it dangerous."

Having dropped just a total of four games in his previous two matches at the O2 Arena this week, Dimitrov came into the match expected to win despite his travails against Sock.

And he seemed intent on proving that assessment right with a strong start which saw him put a volley away on break point for an early 2-0 lead.

Both men seemed intent on attacking but Dimitrov was getting to the net earlier than his opponent and he actually held a point for 4-0 before Sock found his rhythm.

Jack Sock: Down and out

His major weapon, the forehand, began to push Dimitrov back and he quickly took the break back.

Sock turned the pressure up again in the ninth game and while Dimitrov managed to save one break point he fired long on the second to leave his foe serving for the set.

He had no problem in doing so but then fell apart in the second set, losing it to love in double-quick time.

A conveniently-timed bathroom break allowed Sock to regain his composure and so began a tense final set.

Sock would have been able to draw on the fact he had won his last seven deciding sets but his opponent also had the strong support of a big Bulgarian contingent who were orchestrating the crowd.

One of the rallies of the tournament occurred in the fifth game as some superb Dimitrov defence allowed him to create a chance to show his touch at the net and a brilliantly-executed volley earned him the point.

Video: Dimitrov wins superb volley

Things progressed smoothly enough to 4-3 which was the point at which Sock cracked. With Dimitrov having got to deuce, the American double-faulted. He repaired the damage with a forehand winner onto the sideline but then a second double fault gave Dimitrov another chance.

This one was snaffled, Sock netting a few strokes after Dimitrov had landed a shot onto the baseline which many in the crowd thought was out.

The epic final game followed but on this occasion Dimitrov managed to hold his nerve to secure the year-end world number three spot and move forward to the biggest match of his career.

On Sunday he will bid to become the first debutant to win the ATP Finals since Alex Corretja in 1998 when he faces 7/4 shot Goffin.

Asked about the tension in that final game, Dimitrov insisted he had not been thinking about what had happened in his previous meetings with Sock ad that in fact the experience had helped on this occasion.

"You cannot allow yourself to think about that on such a big occasion.

"Yeah, the past two matches, super unfortunate. But that's what makes the game so special. Sometimes not only that you have to fight yourself mentally, but you need to fight the demons from previous matches or your opponent.

"But I was very happy the way I handled the pressure. Even though I was down a break point or something, even if I had to play an extra game or games, I had to accept it. I think, regardless, you learn from those moments. I certainly learned from that experience."

What Sock said

"When you play a guy, a player of that calibre, you can't give him that many opportunities, that many free points. He took advantage today. I thought he really stepped up his level in the second and third. Came up with some pretty crazy shots in the third set at some inopportune (moments) for myself.

"He stepped up his level for sure. There's a reason he's been playing this consistently all year. That's the reason he's in the final."