Grigor Dimitrov: ‘There is no other way’

BRISBANE, INTERNATIONAL – Kei Nishikori is ranked No. 5 and Milos Raonic is ranked No. 8.  They played better than No. 11 Grigor Dimitrov did last year and as good as the Bulgarian was for the most part, he was not as consistent overall. Yes, he improved a great deal last year, but he flailed a bit during the fall and consequently he was unable to reach the ATP Final of 8. Those two other guys made it.
This is a different year though in 2015, so maybe he will turn the tide. He has a beautiful game; there are few shots that he can’t handle. In fact, there are none, except for getting angry on occasion and pushing himself way back when chasing the balls back. But he has learned a great deal over the past two years or so and when you listen to him you know that he is very close to taking them all down. His coach, Roger Rasheed, knows how to handle his charge. Now Dimitrov is ready to go straight at them. Reaching the No. 1? He thinks he has a legitimate show.
“There is always possibility for everything, I would say,” Dimitrov said.  “I think the first step is definitely top 5.  From there you can sort of see the end, and that’s the top. In order to do that, you need to win Slams and big tournaments.  That’s just proven.  There is no other way.  There is no shortcuts.  Play your best tennis, give your heart out, and anything can happen.”
Dimitrov will face Martin Klizan  in the Brisbane International on Friday.
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Speaking of which, Dimitrov GF Maria Sharapova played an excellent ball in crushing Carla Suarez Navarro 6‑1 6‑3 to reach the semis. It has taken No. 2 Sharapova for years to dealing with rush the net and finally, she is now doing it on occasions. Even up to a few years ago, she would crack a ball into the corner, have her opponent way off the court as stretching out to even touching the ball, let alone blasting one back, and even if she was three inches away from the net, she would go backwards, rather than coming forward. Now she is actually going forward, staying up there and believing that she can hit winners. You cannot put it away every time, but you have to stand up there, now where it’s coming, put your racket out and react. Most times, if you are  reacting crisply, you can put the ball way. If she can put away say six winners off the net per each set, then she can grab another Slam.
Sharapova will face a young riser in the semifinal, the 20-year-old Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, who upset Angelique Kerber.  Sharapova bashed her in Beijing in  October, but Svitolina appears to be more confident, hiring the Brit Ian Hughes, who once helped Andy Murray a couple of years ago.
The American Varvara Lepchenko bested Alla Kudryavtseva 7-5 7-5 and reaches the semifinals. It looks like she will reach the top 32 for the Australian Open. Big step.
Sam Groth looks so much better overall, but his game has taken many years to figure out hoe he should play. He pulled off a fine win over  Lukas Kubot 7-6 in the third but now will play Raonic, which is a dangerous task.
Juan Martin del Potro has yet to be able to strike his -left-handed backhand but be will play anyway at the Apia International Sydney.
Stan Wawrinka cracked the teenager Borna Coric of Croatia 6-1 6-4 in  Chennai Open. Coric is too young to have much impact.
 
In Auckland, Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki won, but the American Coco Vandeweghe went down to Barbora Zahlavova Strycova , which means that she won’t be able to get into the top 32 at the Aussie Open. While another American, Lauren Davis, won’t be able to get a seed, she did knock off  Urszula Radwanska  2-6 6-2 6-1 and reached the semis.

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