NISHIKORI, DIMITROV WIN TITLES AND SURGE TOWARD TOP 10 By Ricky Dimon

Written by: on 27th April 2014
Monte Carlo Masters in Roquebrune Cap Martin
NISHIKORI, DIMITROV WIN TITLES AND SURGE TOWARD TOP 10 By Ricky Dimon

epa04170321 Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria serves the ball to David Ferrer of Spain during their third round match at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 17 April 2014. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER  |

Kei Nishikori won the first clay-court title of his career–and his fourth overall–by making quick 6-2, 6-2 work of Santiago Giraldo on Sunday in Barcelona. Nishikori broke his opponent five times in eight return games to prevail in one hour and 13 minutes.

 

“This title and Miami (where he reached the semifinals) helped my confidence, especially this week on clay,” Nishikori said afterward. “There are three big tournaments coming up in Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros, so I hope I can do well and increase my points. My next goal is to get to the Top 10.”

 

Sunday’s other champion also also has his sights set on the Top 10. Grigor Dimitrov, who beat Lukas Rosol 7-6(2), 6-1 for the Bucharest crown, is now an awesome 20-6 on the season. He climbed two spots to No. 14 in the ATP rankings, matching his career-high.

 

“I have worked really hard to start winning titles,” the Bulgarian assured. “I have put in enough effort, time and sacrifices to get here.”

 

“A run to a final was very good,” Rosol reflected. “Grigor was just amazing today. I played good tennis, but Grigor was better on the court and I had no answer. I am sure he will break into the Top 10 very soon.”

 

Dimitrov is within relative striking distance of the No. 9 (Milos Raonic) and No. 10 (John Isner) players in the world. He is 380 points behind Raonic and 355 back of Isner. The 22-year-old has 135 points to defend between now and the start of the French Open (90 in Madrid and 45 in Rome).

 

Nishikori, meanwhile, soared five spots to No. 12 in the world–one off his career-high of 11th. The Japanese sensation trails Raonic by 140 points and Isner by 115 points. He has 225 points to defend between now and Roland Garros (180 in Madrid, 45 in Rome).

Topics: , , , , , , ,








10sBalls Top Stories

In Case You Missed It

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA thumbnail

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA

Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday that Eugenie Bouchard is the winner of the 2018 Excellence Awards in the Female Player of the Year and Singles Player of the Year categories.
TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE thumbnail

TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE

Time to get tickets to watch! Surly you have heard about The Largest Open Tennis Event in America!
TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER thumbnail

TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER

According to Uncle Toni, Rafael Nadal was supposed to be back at practice on either Dec. 4 or 5. Well, better late than never!
Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife thumbnail

Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife

Española y checa ya trabajaron juntas durante el pasado Open de Estados Unidos
ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS thumbnail

ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia hits a forehand to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia during her second round match at the Nature Valley International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, Great Britain, on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.