Help from Dimitrov to Alcaraz for Laver Cup debut

The Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov surpassed Team Europe after defeating the Chileans Alejandro Tabilo by 7-6 (7-4) and 7-6 (7-2) in the third match of the Laver Tennis Cup, before the debut of Carlos Alcaraz in the competition, in a fantastic match with everything.

Equality was the dominant tone of the first set and both players were very confident in their serve. Dimitrov wreaked havoc with his impressive backhand, while the Chilean, unfazed by a wasted effort last week in Davis Cup qualifying, responded with a consistent forehand.

This led to the sudden death tiebreaker, which saw the best tennis of the day, with stunning points that ignited the enthusiasm of the fans.

There are three decisive actions. First, a series of volleys, left hands and counter left hands that Dimitrov incredibly took and lifted. Alcaraz and in the rest of the Uber Arena; then, a triumphant return from the Bulgarian; and, finally, a timeless rally that Tabilo sent into the net.

Despite a tough loss in the first round, the Canadian-raised Chilean was not disappointed. In the third game of the second set he achieved the first break of the match and in the fifth, he doubled the ‘break’ to make it 5-1 which seemed definitive in the second set.

However, the Bulgarian turned back the double deficit and incredibly chained five games in a row to make it 5-6. Tabilo, in disbelief, forced a tiebreaker, where the good punches reappeared and Dimitrov’s winning dynamic prevailed, winning in 2 hours and 15 minutes.

With this victory, Team Europe leads 2-1 before the star match of the day: the doubles between the American couple Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton and the German team Alexander Zverev and Spanish Carlos Alcaraz.