By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Grigor Dimitrov finds himself into his first ever Grand Slam semifinal after a straight sets win over Andy Murray.
Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/ Getty
The reign is over.
Grigor Dimitrov put on a near perfect display of aggressive tennis as he upset defending Wimbledon champion Andy Murray on Centre Court.
Though entering with massive crowd support, perhaps that expectation weighed too heavily on the UK No.1's shoulders as he started the match looking tense and unsure of his shots. Dimitrov capitalized with an early break and then easy hold for 4-1.
With Dimitrov winning their extended rallies, the Bulgarian took hold of yet another break.
Soon, a smash winner sealed the first set 6-1 for Dimitrov.
Murray showed resolve in the second set despite continuing to have difficulties with his first serve. Dimitrov, who often slid along the ragged baseline as if connected to it by a track, earned yet another early break.
Yet Murray would be helped out with Dimitrov showing some nerves of his own at the prospect of reaching his first ever Grand Slam semifinal. A poor game from Dimitrov resulted in him sending a backhand wide while down break point.
That put Murray back level at 4-all. Both men would need a tiebreak to decide the set. Despite Murray's efforts, a pair of pinpoint backhand volleys would seal the two sets to love lead for Dimitrov.
If his local fans were hoping Murray could pull off another comeback in front of them, he wouldn't oblige them. Murray started unraveling midway through the third set as he struck a poor backhand followed up by a bad double fault while down break point. That gave Dimitrov a 4-2 lead.
Dimitrov didn't need to worry if he might have to serve out the match. Murray again threw in a bad double fault in his next service game. That set up two match points for Dimitrov. Murray saved one with a forehand winner, but would net a forehand on the second.
With that, Dimitrov raised his arms in triumph on completing the 6-1, 7-6(4), 6-2 win.
Not only is Dimitrov now into his first ever Grand Slam semifinal, he is also projected to make his top 10 debut next week.