Dimitrov makes first final since 2018 at Geneva Open

Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov has made it into his first final in more than five years after beating Taylor Fritz at the Geneva Open.

Dimitrov trailed by a set and 4-2 before rallying to win 3-6 7-5 7-6 (7-2), his first semi-final win since February 2018 when opponent David Goffin retired in their match at Rotterdam.

Dimitrov created his match point chance on Friday 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 then 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,” said Dimitrov, who had knocked out Australian Chris O’Connell in the quarters.

“I came this week with a purpose and I intend to finish it up to the end,” said Dimitrov, who has only one clay-court title among his eight career tournament wins. 

Dimitrov will play the final on Saturday against unseeded Nicolas Jarry, who beat third seed Alexander Zverev 7-6 (7-3) 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 had combined to win the past three editions of the French Open warm-up 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.