Grigor Dimitrov's climb back to form continued as he battled past an out of sorts Lucas Pouille 6-7(3), 7-6(0), 6-4, to reach the quarter-finals of the China Open. Dimitrov's reward is a clash with Rafael Nadal for a place in the semi-finals.
The first set was one of wasted chances for Dimitrov. Although the Bulgarian looked the slightly more consistent of the pair, Pouille managed to fight through the first set even after making 18 unforced errors. The Frenchman looked to be taking control in the second set as he got the first break of the match and went on to serve for the match. Dimitrov raised his game as he looked to get back in the match but ultimately didn't have to do much as Pouille's errors handed the Bulgarian the break back after being two points away from the win. Pouille then crumbled in the second set tiebreak as Dimitrov took it 7-0 to level the match. The world number 20 then cruised through his service games and one break of the Frenchman's serve was enough to give him the third set and a great comeback victory.
Missed opportunities
Two double faults and a couple of loose shots from Pouille left him struggling in the opening game of the match after being 40-15 up, but he finally managed to dig out the hold of serve on his fifth game point. Three unforced errors from Pouille followed by a big forehand winner from Dimitrov gave the Bulgarian an easy hold to love. Although already racking up nine unforced errors and three double faults, Pouille fought through another hold of serve to stay ahead on serve at 2-1.
Another easy hold came for Dimitrov, and Pouille struggled through another. A perfect backhand passing shot from Dimitrov gave him a break point, but bullying groundstrokes from the Frenchman quickly erased it as he again just managed to hang on. Pouille's fourth service game was the first of the match for him that didn't go to deuce as he showed signs of improvement.
Dimitrov raced through another service game and Pouille continued to improve as he held with ease to keep his lead at 5-4 and forced Dimitrov to serve to stay in the set. Although improving slightly on serve, Pouille still couldn't find any rhythm on return and he gifted Dimitrov a hold to love.
The holds continued and the pair found themselves in a tiebreak. Pouille raised his level at the most crucial time to dominate. A great return from the Frenchman gave him the early mini-break to go up 2-1, and Dimitrov hung on with an ace. Pouille followed with an ace of his own and a forehand winner to keep his lead. Another huge ace and a scorching winner gave Pouille three set points, and a loose backhand into the net from Dimitrov gave Pouille the first set 7-6 (3).
Comeback trail
Dimitrov opened the second set by battling through a hold of serve as Pouille was finally starting to find his form. The Frenchman quickly got his first hold to love to put the pressure straight back on Dimitrov, which he handled well with an easy hold. Pouille looked to be finding his range, as his biggest weapon in his forehand was really beginning to cause damage.
There were opportunities for Dimitrov at 15-30 and again at deuce, but Pouille got out of trouble with some brave groundstrokes and good serves when he needed them most. A perfectly angled drop shot from the baseline took Dimitrov by surprise and got him into danger on serve as he went from game 40-15 to deuce. A punishing rally gave the Frenchman his first break point, and a deep return followed by a shanked forehand by the Bulgarian gave the first break of serve of the match to Pouille.
The sixth seed scraped through another hold of serve and consolidated the break to go up 4-2. Another hold of serve each left Dimitrov serving to stay in the match, which he did easily to love. Dimitrov made a last ditch effort to get the break back as Pouille was serving for the match. He upped the aggression and hammered his signature backhand down the line to rattle Pouille. A double fault and two loose shots in a row from the Frenchman handed the break back to Dimitrov for 5-5.
The Bulgarian kept his momentum going as he held quickly to go back ahead in the second set. As Pouille was serving to stay in the set, Dimitrov found himself two points away from leveling the match. Pouille absorbed the pressure and hit a huge forehand crosscourt winner followed by an ace to take the pair to another tiebreak.
Dimitrov looked to be a different player than he was 20 minutes previously as he raced took a 5-0 lead in the tiebreak. A double fault left Pouille stuck at 6-0 with no way back as Dimitrov pulled out his defensive best to return an overhead smash and follow up with an incredible forehand passing shot and steal the second set 7-6(0).
No way back
Pouille started the third set with a much-needed hold of serve from 15-30 down, with big serves getting him out of trouble again. The Frenchman showed more belief in his next service game as he held easily from 0-15 down, but he was still having no luck on the return as Dimitrov continued to cruise through and tie them up at 2-2. This time around Pouille was unable to come back from behind and Dimitrov broke with a volley knifed away at the net to lead 3-2.
Dimitrov kept flying through on serve and although hitting his seventh double fault, Pouille again scraped through to stay in touch at 4-3. The only real danger signs for Dimitrov came as he was serving for the match, but Pouille was unable to take advantage of his opponents nerves and the Bulgarian took the decider 6-4 to make his way into the quarter-finals.