Grigor Dimitrov missed the chance to arrange a match with Novak Djokovic. The best Bulgarian tennis player dropped out at the 1/8-finals of the “Masters 1000” in Shanghai (China) after losing to Jakub Menšík (Czech Republic). The 19-year-old talent, who is a former junior No. 1, won 6:3, 3:6, 6:4. If Grigor was successful, he would meet Novak Djokovic in the 1/4-finals.
Despite the loss, Dimitrov will remain in the top 10 of world tennis, despite having 360 points to defend since reaching the quarter-finals of the tournament last season. This became a fact after the only one who could throw the Bulgarian out of the tennis elite – Holger Rune – dropped out at the same stage as the native star.
However, with Grigor’s defeat, the chances of him participating in the final “Masters” in Turin are significantly reduced. The best 8 of the season play in it. In the virtual ranking, the Bulgarian remains 10th, but the gap with the cherished 8th place is increasing.
As early as next week, Grigor will be on the court again. The former number 3 has declared participation in the tournament in Stockholm (Sw). The tournament starts on Monday, October 14. In the Swedish capital, 11 years ago, the Bulgarian won his first title on the tour. By the end of the season, Dimitrov has announced his participation in 2 more tournaments – in Vienna from October 21 and the last one for the season “Masters 1000” in Paris.