Dimitrov advances to first final since 2018, beats Fritz in Geneva Open semis

GENEVA (AP) — Grigor Dimitrov advanced to his first final on the ATP Tour in more than five years on Friday after beating Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (2) at the Geneva Open.

Dimitrov trailed by a set and 4-2 before rallying to win a semifinal for the first time since February 2018 when opponent David Goffin retired in their match at Rotterdam.

The Bulgarian created his match point chance against Fritz in a stunning rally, with powerful forehands and angled drop shots from both sides of the net. The American was left slipping and seated on the clay outside the tramlines to watch Dimitrov hit a winner into the open court.

The win was sealed when second-seeded Fritz sent a looping lob long as the fourth-seeded Dimitrov advanced to the net.

“It was a crazy match. Honestly, very pleased with the way I fought,” Dimitrov said.

He is ranked No. 33 and arrived in Geneva with a 12-9 record this season.

“I came this week with a purpose and I intend to finish it up to the end,” he said. He has only one clay-court title in his eight career tournament wins. The last title was the ATP Tour Finals in 2017.

Dimitrov will play the final on Saturday against unseeded Nicolás Jarry, who beat third-seeded Alexander Zverev 7-6 (3), 6-3 in a rematch of their 2019 final in Geneva.

Jarry sealed the win with a delicate, low backhand volley at the net, one day after ousting top-seeded Casper Ruud, the two-time defending champion.

Zverev and Ruud combined to win the past three editions of the French Open warmup event and neither had lost at the lakeside park venue until running into the tall 54th-ranked Chilean.

Jarry is chasing his second title this year after also winning on clay at his hometown Santiago event in March.

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