Grigor Dimitrov is back in an ATP Masters 1000 final, and it took him a really long time to get there, as his previous one came in 2017.
Dimitrov is a really fine player, and his nickname, Baby Fed, just proves it. You're not named Baby Federer for no reason, and while their games look very similar, he's also pretty good and he proved that in the past.
Back in 2017, Dimitrov had a really good year, winning the Cincinnati Masters as well as the ATP Finals. It was the best we've ever seen him play. Fast forward to 2023, Dimitrov is once again playing really strong tennis, arguably his best one since 2017.
This year saw him earn the most wins since 2017; it also saw him reach another Masters final, this time at the 2023 Paris Masters, which hasn't happened in years.
In his own words, he's playing better now than he did in 2017, which is impressive. Nobody really saw it coming.
I would like to think so. Yeah, it's been an amazing week. In a way, I was very happy coming into this week, because I just wanted to see where I'm at mentally and physically. That was I think the biggest thing for me. Next thing you know, a week later I'm on the final. So this is, yeah, as good as it gets right now.
It's a complicated final for Dimitrov as he's going to face a player who has won in Paris many times. Novak Djokovic has endured another marathon to win, but he's going to be ready for the final.
Beating the world number one in the final is always tough, especially since the matchup doesn't favour Dimitrov all that much. They played 12 times so far, with the Serbian winning 11 of those.
Dimitrov's only win over Djokovic came in 2013 at the Madrid Masters on clay. Their only match in Paris came in 2019 in the semi-final, with Djokovic winning in two sets.
Even so, if it's going to happen, it's going to happen at the end of this magical run.
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