Grigor Dimitrov played for the first time since suffering a chest injury as he led eventual champion Jannik Sinner to love two sets at Wimbledon, beating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(5), 6-1 at the Rolex Paris Masters on Monday night.
Dimitrov saved all three break points he faced and broke Mpetshi Perricard – arguably the greatest server on the ATP Tour – no less than three times in the second set alone. The 34-year-old Bulgarian triumphed in one hour and 35 minutes.
“I still try to keep my head away from the field all the time,” Dimitrov thought. “It was never easy. I knew that competing in the competition was just going to be a difficult task. I just wanted to come out and test myself, give myself a chance. I think if I won or lost tonight, I would still have felt like I gave everything I had. Of course it’s very difficult to adapt, especially when you’re playing against a player like him. You have to be alert and stay focused all the time.”
“It doesn’t matter how much experience you have. There’s always that extra stress, especially after so many months away. But listen, it’s a good night. I’m taking it in and just taking it one day at a time at this point.”
The world number 38 awaits Daniil Medvedev or Jaume Munar in round two.
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