14:52
Dimitrov – Rublev 4:4
Rublev follows up with your third ace. Shortly afterwards three game balls are ready. And then the Russian, seeded 5th, fires up another ace. Suddenly it goes very quickly for him too and to zero.
14:51
Dimitrov – Rublev 4:3
Dimitrov gets into the rally via a strong return, then marches forward and has every opportunity. But in the end the point comes from Rublev, who has the composure to pass the forehand ball.
2:48 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 4:3
The counters currently end up in the Bulgarian’s account quite easily. Another good first serve through the middle – and for the first time today a game goes to zero. Dimitrov advances to 4:3.
2:47 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 3:3
Rublev always finds reason to complain to his coach Alberto Martin. This now happens almost after every point played, especially when it goes to Dimitrov.
2:46 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 3:3
In the meantime, this game has been fought for ten minutes. The fourth ball is ready for the Russian, who reaches for the towel again and then finishes things off with his second ace of the match.
2:44 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 3:2
A little later, Rublev gave away his next ball with a double fault. Of course, this provides another opportunity to raise your voice and curse.
2:43 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 3:2
Dimitrov then also has a problem with the obstacle, which gives Rublev the chance to win the game. But the Russian once again doesn’t want to use it and carelessly misses his backhand. We’re at Debut for the fourth time.
2:42 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 3:2
With a sensitive forehand longline, Rublev gets the first ball, but doesn’t know how to use it afterwards because the net is now in the way again. This is how a tough battle develops for this game.
14:41
Dimitrov – Rublev 3:2
This time Rublev appears at the net and is lucky that Dimitrov doesn’t make more use of his position. The fourth break opportunity also evaporates.
2:40 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 3:2
Then both of them have the longest rally so far. With a backhand slice, Rublev lures the opponent, who is forced to take the initiative and appear at the net. The Russian spits praise, which the Bulgarian successfully reaches for. And the smash can no longer be processed by Rublev. Breakball again!
2:38 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 3:2
Rublev obviously needs this pressure, concentrates better now, serves well and actually fends off all three break chances.
2:37 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 3:2
Rublev wildly hits the ball with his forehand, which then sails far out of bounds. This gives Dimitrov three break points.
2:36 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 3:2
Rublev gets stuck in the obstacle twice. After the Russian had previously had fewer problems with his service games, he is now threatened with trouble. 0:30!
2:34 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 3:2
Once again Dimitrov frees himself from this situation and makes the following two points. His cross-played forehand shines at the end with high accuracy. Rublev can’t handle this ball and we immediately have reason to complain again.
2:32 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 2:2
But then Rublev turns his focus back to what’s important and sends his opponent back and forth wonderfully. Dimitrov has to run and at some point he can no longer bring the felt ball back over the net. Debut!
2:31 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 2:2
Unimpressed, Dimitrov records the points and organizes two game balls.
2:30 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 2:2
For the first time, the Russian has an emotional outburst. When the 25-year-old gets too long from the baseline, he shouts out his frustration. Even after that, there is still reason to quarrel. At least he has a contact person on the side where his trainer sits.
14:28
Dimitrov – Rublev 2:2
The Bulgarian can’t do anything against his opponent’s serve game. Rublev gets through to 15, which is the least problematic game of this match so far.
14:27
Dimitrov – Rublev 2:1
Then Dimitrov first saves the life of a butterfly that has settled on the court. The insect actually flutters away afterwards.
14:26
Dimitrov – Rublev 2:1
Now it’s Rublev’s turn again and wants to put unmistakable pressure on. His backhand hits the edge of the net and jumps back into his court from there.
14:24
Dimitrov – Rublev 2:1
After that, Dimitrov doesn’t let anything go wrong, serves well now, but has to clean it up with his forehand. Afterwards, Rublev’s return doesn’t come back. The Bulgarian takes the lead again.
14:23
Dimitrov – Rublev 1:1
Dimitrov doesn’t let himself be deterred, stands clearly in the field and shoots with his forehand. But the 32-year-old doesn’t know how to use the ball he won. Once again he doesn’t have the nerve in a long rally and misses from the baseline. For the first time we go over debut.
14:21
Dimitrov – Rublev 1:1
Dimitrov doesn’t really like the first serve yet, only every second attempt works. And now the Bulgarian makes the first double fault of the game.
2:19 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 1:1
Rublev takes advantage of his second chance, serves and then plays the forehand inside-out. Dimitrov no longer knows what to do with the ball.
2:17 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 1:0
Rublev fires the first ace of the match, traveling at a speed of 207 kilometers per hour. This is followed by a service winner. That gives him two game balls.
2:15 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 1:0
Then Dimitrov grabs the first winner, fires his forehand down the line and organizes a game ball. And when Rublev failed to make a controlled return shortly afterwards, the first game was history.
2:14 p.m
Dimitrov – Rublev 0:0
Then Rublev repeatedly seemed to be bothered by something. The Russian keeps looking up. Nacho Forcadell makes radio contact.
14:13
Dimitrov – Rublev 0:0
After the Bulgarian’s first point, a very long rally developed. Both are afraid of taking risks, but mistakes still happen at some point. Dimitrov puts a backhand into the net.
2:10 p.m
1 sentence
Dimitrov opens the match at 8:10 p.m. local time and has to try the second serve straight away. Rublev returns with a very good length and scores the first point.
2:09 p.m
Head to head
The two professionals will face each other in an official tennis match for the seventh time. So far everyone has celebrated three victories, and the game was always played on hard courts. Dimitrov won the last match in Vienna 2022 with 6:3 and 6:4.
2:07 p.m
Rublev on the way to Turin
By the way, Rublev was already in the quarterfinals of all majors, but never made it past that. Therefore, the aforementioned Masters in Monte Carlo represents his greatest success to date – alongside the 2021 Olympic victory in the mixed doubles, of course. In addition, the former world number 5 was in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals almost a year ago. He could go there again soon. Rublev is fifth in the race and should be the next to win the ticket after Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedv and Jannik Sinner.
2:03 p.m
Entry and coin toss
At this moment our protagonists enter the Stadium Court at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center. After a few steps of preparation, you meet at the net with the Spanish chair umpire Nacho Forcadell for the vote. The coin falls in favor of Rublev, who wants to switch sides. Dimitrov decides to serve.
2:01 p.m
Rublev 2023
Rublev thus appears to be building on his strong first half of 2023. By then, the right-hander had reached five finals, won his first Masters in Monte Carlo and achieved his 14th tournament victory in Båstad, Sweden. After that, the seventh in the world rankings experienced a bit of a dry spell, only making people sit up and take notice as a quarter-finalist at the US Open.
13:53
The path of Rublev
Rublev is competing in Shanghai for the fourth time since 2017. After the third round in 2019, the 5th seeded Russian is getting off to a good start this time and hasn’t dropped a single set in the past few days. The 25-year-old eliminated Quentin Halys, Adrian Mannarino (31), Tommy Paul (12) and Ugo Humbert (32).
13:44
Dimitrov in Shanghai
In Shanghai, Dimitrov is in the main draw for the seventh time since 2011. After the quarter-finals in 2017, he now achieved his best result at this Masters. The Bulgarian did a great job on the way to this semi-final, taking three seeded players out of the tournament. After two-set wins against Aleksandar Vukic and Karen Khachanov (13), he defeated Carlos Alcaraz (1) after being down a set and took revenge yesterday on Nicolás Jarry (22) for the final defeat in Geneva, winning 7:6 and 6:4.
1:35 p.m
The good season is missing its crowning glory
Is there still enough for the really big titles? At least the 32-year-old is showing a certain amount of consistency this season, having already reached the semi-finals of the 500s in Rotterdam and Washington and recently in Chengdu. Dimitrov also reached the final in Geneva. The number 19 in the world is back up to 16 in the live ranking. He currently also holds this position in the Race to Turin. It’s still a long way to the ATP Finals in November, so he would almost have to win the 1,000 here in Shanghai to keep his chances.
13:26
Once number three in the world
Dimitrov is preparing to revive the glory days. The Bulgarian once played in three Grand Slam semi-finals and had perhaps his best year as a professional tennis player in 2017. At that time, the right-hander won his only Masters title to date (Cincinnati), won the ATP Finals at the end of the season and rose to third place in the world rankings. But he hasn’t won a tournament since then and is stuck with eight titles.
13:17
Welcome
Welcome to the Rolex Shanghai Masters! The finalists are being sought today for the hard court tournament at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center. The first one has already been found, Hubert Hurkacz. We will determine his opponent for tomorrow from 2:00 p.m. CEST in the second semi-final between Grigor Dimitrov and Andrey Rublev.