By Erik Gudris | Saturday, March 1, 2014

 

Having defeated the event's top two seeds between them, Kevin Anderson and Grigor Dimitrov will face off in the Abierto Mexicano Telcel final at Acapulco.

Photo Credit: AP

When the Abierto Mexicano Telcel event switched from clay courts to hard courts for this year's edition, many expected the unexpected. That has come to pass as two surprise finalists will contend for the coveted ATP 500 title in Acapulco.

In a late night semifinal on Friday, No. 2 seed Andy Murray faced off against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov.

Murray, who in previous matches got off to slow starts, bucked that trend by breaking Dimitrov in the opening game. Though each traded breaks between them, it was Murray who secured yet another break to take the first set 6-4.

Dimitrov didn't back off though and soon delighted the crowd with some of the "Hollywood" style shotmaking he is known for. But Murray held his own and the set eventually wound itself into a tiebreak.

Though Murray would climb back from falling behind 1-5 in the breaker, it wasn't enough as soon Dimitrov took it 7-6(5). Dimitrov continued his momentum and soon found himself serving for the match up 5-4 in the third set.

But Murray broke back and yet again a tiebreak was needed. As Dimitrov climbed out to a 5-2 lead, Murray could not find a way to claw back. Dimitrov squeezed off a big forehand that Murray couldn't handle to seal the 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(3) win.

"At the moment it feels like the best win of my career," Dimitrov said to ATP.com. "I always thought Andy was an unbelievable player. We all know how he competes. I was really happy with how I played today. I wanted to win badly. He doesn't give up easily, but I'll take that win in two tie-breaks."

Anderson Edges Dolgopolov to Reach Final

Earlier in the day, Kevin Anderson took on Alexandr Dolgopolov for a spot in the men's final. Both players were coming in having reached finals last week with Anderson doing so in Delray Beach while Dolgopolov did so in Rio.

Dolgopolov didn't look the fresher of the two starting out. Anderson would earn an early break and eventually took the first set 6-1. Dolgopolov got his game going midway through the second set despite not having a chance at a break point against Anderson's serve.

That moment would come late in the set at 6-5. Dolgopolov converted on his first break point with a sweeping passing shot that helped him take the set 7-5.

Anderson, who earlier in the week advanced over top seed David Ferrer, resumed control in the final set. Taking an early break from his opponent, Anderson then used his big serve to prevent Dolgopolov from getting back into the match.

With one last big serve, Anderson closed out the 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 win.

Acapulco is now Anderson's eighth tour final. For Dimitrov, it will be the third of his career.