Dimitrov battles past Tabilo to give Europe 2-1 lead at Laver Cup

The Bulgarian came from 5-1 down in the second set and saved three set points to clinch victory

Imago/Panoramic

September 20, 2024

Grigor Dimitrov won six of the last seven games as he beat Chilean Alejandro Tabilo 7-6 (4), 7-6 ( to give Team Europe a 2-1 lead over Team World at the Laver Cup in Berlin on Friday.

The Bulgarian won the first set on the tiebreak but trailed 5-1 in the second set before roaring back, saving three set points and surviving a physical issue late in the set to put Europe ahead for the first time in this year’s event.

“Great fight,” Dimitrov said. “I played him once this year and it was a similar situation. I was very happy with the way I moved around the court and moved him around the court. It was very hard to return. When I was down in the second set I just tried to be very patient and go point by point. I had some momentum and then I played a good tiebreak.”

Dimitrov had to pull out during the quarter-final of the US Open due to a left leg injury and it seemed like the left leg was again the problem as he hauled himself back into the match and got himself over the line.

“Let’s see, it’s a bit difficult (to tell),” he said, of his injury. “Hopefully it’s nothing too serious. The body’s been struggling, I’m not going to lie. I fee like I’m playing great tennis but my body is not allowing me to push through.”

Tebilo falters in the second set

Dimitrov took the first set on the tiebreak, winning it 7-4 and looked to be on his way to an early break in the second set. But Tabilo saved three break points to hold for 1-1 and suddenly raised his game, his drop shot becoming a real threat.

Two breaks of serve put him in charge at 4-1 and extended his lead to 5-2 only to falter, broken for the first time in the match, from 40-15, with a double fault to let Dimitrov back into the set.

The Bulgarian held to force Tabilo to serve it out and he couldn’t do it, a brilliant Dimitrov return denying him on his third set point. Suddenly Tabilo was tight and Dimitrov was redlining, hitting winners all over the place. At 5-5, he held to love and though Tabilo held to force another tiebreak but Dimitrov played beautifully throughout to win it 7-2.

Earlier, Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Thanaasi Kokkinakis 6-1, 6-4 to bring Team Europe level at 1-1, Francisco Cerundolo having beaten Casper Ruud in the opener, 6-4, 6-4.

Every match on day one counts for one point. On day two, each match counts for two points and on the final day, all matches count for three points.