By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, February 24, 2015

 

Grigor Dimitrov converted eight of 27 break points in a 6-3, 5-7, 6-0 win over Filip Krajinovic in his Acapulco opener.

Photo credit: Abierto Mexicano Tennis Telcel

Cliff diving was part of Grigor Dimitrov's warm-up for launching defense of his Acapulco title. Dimitrov was dancing on the ledge of decline when he blew four match points to donate the second set to Filip Krajinovic today.

Stalling his free fall, the Bulgarian blew through the decider to stick the second-round landing with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-0 victory in a match that featured an astounding 34 break points.

Video Cliffhanger: The Real Dimitrov Dive

The second set was a festival of a break points as the match veered from bizarre to brutal while offering some popping flashes of shot-making brilliance amid the blustery wind.

The world No. 101 stubbornly fought off 17 of 20 break points in the second set, including 16 consecutive break points in one stretch. Matters degenerated from unpredictable to downright unsightly for Dimitrov midway through the second set.

Slipping trying to abruptly change direction, Krajinovic fell flat on the seat of his Nike shorts leaving the entire court exposed. Dimitrov's nose was near net when he pushed a routine volley wide donating the break for 4-all.

It's the kind of careless error that can make Dimitrov look casual compared to veteran Top 10 players. It's not that he doesn't care, he just can't quite seem to manage concentration required to play complete matches.

Dimitrov combines the soaring daring of a cliff diver with the distracted stumbles of a guy prone to slipping on soap in the shower.

Initially, Krajinovic couldn't capitalize. He left a rally shot short in the court, Dimitrov swooped in and swatted a forehand winner down the line exhorting himself breaking back for 5-4.

Serving for the match, Dimitrov burst out to a 40-0 lead, but couldn't close. Krajinovic saved four match points and when Dimitrov tapped a forehand drop volley into net, Krajinovic had a break point. The third seed hit an inside-out forehand winner to erase it.

Stepping into the court, Krajinovic bolted a forehand winner down the line for break point — the 25th break point of the set. Krajinovic busted a backhand winner own the opposite sideline to break back for 5-all.

Dimitrov blew a 40-0 lead and the multiple match points and looked bewildered by his free fall as Krajinovic held for 6-5 then gained a 15-40 lead in the next game when Dimitrov spit up a wild double fault beyond the service line. A disconsolate Dimitrov flattened a backhand into net to gift the second set to the Serb.

Shaking it off, Dimitrov drilled a forehand winner down the line to open the third set, eventually breaking at love for a 1-0 lead. Sliding an ace down the middle, Dimitrov solidified the advantage for 2-0 after one hour, 48 minutes of play.

Plastering a stirring backhand pass down the line, Dimitrov broke again for a 3-0 lead in the decider. Dimitrov held at love to extend an imposing lead to 4-0. He breezed through the decider in 21 minutes.

Dimitrov, who produced 35 winners against 37 unforced errors, will face either Donald Young or Ryan Harrison in the next round.