Brisbane International: Grigor Dimitrov Upsets Top seed Holger Rune to lift ninth career title

Grigor Dimitrov played great and ended a seven years wait for an ATP title after an impressive week at the Brisbane International presented by Evie on Sunday.

The 32-year-old Bulgarian and World No. 14 stunned World No.8 and top seed Holger Rune 7-6(5), 6-4 to win the his second career title in Brisbane and first trophy since the ATP finals in 2017 after a two hours and 19 minutes encounter in Brisbane, Australia.

“It’s been a while since I held one of these, it’s a bit emotional,” Dimitrov said as he lifted the trophy. “My love affair started here many years ago in Brisbane and it continues. I’m very thankful to lift the trophy again.”

After dropping the first set in his season opener to Andy Murray, Dimitrov played himself into form during the tournament, winning 10 straight sets.

Dimitrov’s title run lifts him one place to No. 13 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. He is eyeing a return to the Top 10 for the first time since October 2018.

The title in Brisbane is his ninth career singles title overall and second at the Brisbane International since he first won the title in 2017, a run of 2240 days of title droughts.