Dimitrov's triumph delights traditional tennis enthusiasts.
In a thrilling match filled with artistry and flair, Grigor Dimitrov, the Bulgarian tennis star, secured his place in the second round of Wimbledon 2023 after defeating France's Corentin Moutet on Court Three. Dimitrov, currently ranked No. 21, emerged victorious with scores of 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.
Dimitrov, who reached a Wimbledon semi-final more than a decade ago, displayed his signature elegant single-handed backhand and smooth all-court game, striking 64 winners throughout the contest. However, Moutet, ranked No. 69, presented a formidable challenge, particularly in the fourth set, where he showcased stunning tennis, including an impressive lob played between his legs.
Moutet, a left-handed player born in Paris, France on April 19, 1999, has a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 51, achieved on November 7, 2022. His current ranking has varied, with sources listing it as No. 69 or No. 83. Despite not yet capturing any ATP Tour singles or doubles titles, Moutet has won six ATP Challenger Tour and five ITF World Tennis Tour singles titles. His highest doubles ranking was No. 425, achieved on June 12, 2017.
The match between Dimitrov and Moutet was not without its challenges. Dimitrov had to retire in the second round of the French Open with a hip injury, and he and his doubles partner, Yunchaokete Bu, were defeated in the first round of the men's doubles. However, Dimitrov remains focused on his tennis career, stating that his challenge now is not about the players or winning or losing, but his own battle. As he gets older, he needs to understand his reasons for playing tennis and why he wants to keep going.
Meanwhile, other matches at Wimbledon are still in progress. The match between Wu Fang-hsien and Sadio Doumbia, and Desirae Krawczyk and Neal Skupski in the mixed doubles is scheduled for a later time, as is the women's doubles match between Marta Kostyuk and Elena-Gabriela Ruse, and Chan Hao-ching and Barbora Krejcikova. In the women's doubles, Oksana Kalashnikova and Elena Pridankina were defeated by Hsieh Su-wei and Jelena Ostapenko in the first round, with the pair advancing to the second round.
Additional reporting was done by a staff writer.
[1] ATP World Tour Profile: Corentin Moutet [2] BBC Sport: Corentin Moutet reaches Mallorca Open final [3] ATP World Tour Rankings: Corentin Moutet [4] ATP World Tour Rankings: Corentin Moutet (as of June 13, 2023)
Grigor Dimitrov's victory over Corentin Moutet on Court Three marks a competitive engagement in the world of tennis, showcasing both their skills and dedication to the sport. Despite Moutet's impressive lob played between his legs, Dimitrov's elegance and precision on the court secured his spot in the second round of Wimbledon 2023.
