By Adrianna Outlaw | Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Grigor Dimitrov defeated qualifier Alexandr Dolgopolov, 6-4, 7-5, in his Rogers Cup opener.
Photo credit: Citi Open
A sore shoulder hampered Grigor Dimitrov in his Washington, D.C. second-round loss last week. Strong legs helped carry the Bulgarian past Alexandr Dolgopolov in Montreal today.
Dimitrov dug out a 6-4, 7-5 victory over the 69th-ranked qualifier to reach the Rogers Cup second round. Dimitrov will face American Jack Sock for a place in the round of 16. Sock overcame 10 double faults in outdueling Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (5).
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Defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga decisioned 18-year-old Borna Coric, 6-4, 6-4. Tsonga showed a different celebration demonstration, hitting his stance like a boxer and throwing a quick combination after the match. The 10th-seeded Tsonga will play Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the third round. Bautista Agut topped Janko Tipsarevic, 6-3, 6-4.
Twenty-year-old Australian Nick Kyrgios hit 15 aces holding off Fernando Verdasco, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Kyrgios capped ended it with a slick forehand volley on match point. It was Verdasco's third consecutive opening-round loss. Kyrgios takes on reigning Roland Garros champion Stan Wawrinka next. Wawrinka beat Kyrgios, 6-3, 6-4, in their only meeting on the grass of Queen's Club in June.
A 2014 Rogers Cup semifinalist, Dimitrov played a composed match at critical moments and defended vigorously to dig on the break in the final game of the match.
Dimitrov denied eight of nine break points he faced. Attacking Dolgopolov's second serve at the right times, Dimitrov won 10 of 13 points played on the Ukrainian's second delivery in the second set.
The 14th-seeded Dimitrov used his slice backhand to extend the point, drawing a backhand error to end a gripping 27 shot rally. Dolgopolov sent a crosscourt forehand wide to face triple match point. He fought off the first two match points but netted a forehand on the third to end the 92-minute match.
David Goffin needed just 55 minutes to dissect American Steve Johnson, 6-2, 6-2. The 13th-seeded Belgian will play 32nd-ranked American Sam Querrey for the first time in the second round.
Qualifier Mikhail Youzhny swept Serbian Viktor Troicki, 6-3, 7-5. Youzhny will play ninth-seeded Frenchman Gilles Simon next.