Last year's Miami Open finalist Grigor Dimitrov is the first player to reach the quarter-final in Florida this week. Grigor faced the 31sd seed Brandon Nakashima in the fourth round and earned a 6-4, 7-5 victory in an hour and 23 minutes.
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The more experienced player took five points more than his opponent. They embraced a fluid encounter with only one deuce, and the Bulgarian took the pivotal points. Nakashima dominated with his first serve, dropping three points after landing it in.
However, he struggled on the second serve and lost serve once in each set. Dimitrov kept everything under control in his games, losing 13 points in 11 service games andoffering his rival no break chances.
They stayed neck and neck in the shortest and most extended exchanges. Grigor played a bit better in the mid-range ones and tamed his strokes nicely to emerge at the top. The servers were off to a great start, keeping the returners away from any chances.
Dimitrov fired an ace in the eighth game and produced a hold at love for 4-4 in swift 24 minutes. Grigor stepped in on the return in game nine and landed a backhand crosscourt winner afteran entertaining exchange for two break points.
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He welcomed a forehand error from Nakashima on the second, clinching a break and moving in front. The 14th seed served for the opener at 5-4 and fired a booming serve on a set point, clinching the first part of the duel 6-4 in 33 minutes.
They provided six comfortable holds for 3-3 in the second set. Dimitrov made a push on the return in game seven and drew the rival's mistake for two break points. Brandon denied them with a booming serve and a fine attack, holding and remaining on the positive side.
The Bulgarian served to stay in the set at 4-5 and wrapped up the game at love in a minute for more drama. The More experienced player stepped in on the return in game 11. Grigor attacked on the return and caused the rival's mistake for two break points.
Nakashima played a wild forehand on the first, dropping serve and finding himself 6-5 behind. Dimitrov served for the win in game 12 and forced the rival's mistake for two match points. Last year's finalist landed an ace on the first, sealing the deal and reaching his second consecutive quarter-final in Miami.
