Grigor’s agony
Wow, that is one of the most heartbreaking moments I’ve ever witnessed in sport.
Aged 34, Grigor Dimitrov was playing some of the finest tennis of his career, and had a great chance of going through.
As it is, Jannik Sinner squeezes into the quarter-finals, but he won’t feel good about it.
Sinner goes through
Sinner 3-6 5-7 2-2 (retired) Dimitrov
This is heartbreaking. Grigor Dimitrov returns to court to concede.
He’s injured a pec with one of his incredible serves.
Dimitrov is given a standing ovation as he leaves in tears. He has had a wretched recent run with injuries at Grand Slams.
Sinner, interviewed, says: “I don’t know what to say. He’s an incredible player and we all saw this today.
“He’s been so unlucky in the past couple of years.
“I hope he has a speedy recovery. Very, very unlucky from his side. I don’t take this as a win at all.”
IT’S ALL OVER
Grigor Dimitrov has retired.
Oh this is absolutely heartbreaking for Dimitrov.
Sinner* 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov
Dimitrov is in tears as he gets medical attention and is then led away to get more treatment off-court.
What a nightmare for him, playing probably the best match of his career.
Sinner is blinking in disbelief. This would not be the way he wants to get through to the quarter-finals.
Sinner* 3-6 5-7 2-2 Dimitrov
Dimitrov wins the next game with an ace.
But then immediately falls down clutching his chest in pain.
I initially feared the worst but it looks like it’s his right pec that he’s pulled.
This could be so unfortunate.
Grigor is oon the brink of tears.
Sinner* 3-6 5-7 1-1 Dimitrov
Dimitrov judges a Sinner return well, leaving it to drop narrowly long.
The next Sinner return is much further out, then Dimitrov finds the line with a sweet cross-court forehand for 40-0.
A fantastic lob catches Dimi out on the next point, and a double fault makes it 40-30. Sinner then forces deuce.
Sinner falls again – and it’s on the troublesome elbow again – as Dimitrov wins the next point, and a characteristically humdinger of a serve wins the game.
Read the full article here