Dimitrov’s successful homecoming

Grigor Dimitrov has advanced to the quarterfinals of the ATP event in Sofia after coming through a tough encounter against Jerzy Janowicz.

Dimitrov, playing at the tournament on home soil for the first time, needed just over two hours to see off the Pole, winning 4-6 6-3 7-5.

“The crowd won the match today,” the world No. 13 said. “I had tremendous support and everything was amazing.

“I haven’t played at home in a long time, so I’m pumped for each match here and hope I can repeat this tomorrow.”

In the quarterfinals he’ll face Viktor Troicki after the ninth seed beat Robin Haase in a third-set tiebreak.

Troicki and Dimitrov last year played out a magnificent final in Sydney, which Troicki won – also in a final-set breaker.

Perhaps the biggest news in Sofia, however, was the defeat of No.1 seed Dominic Thiem.

The Austrian fell in straight sets to Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili, who in the quarters will take on Martin Klizan.

Dominic Thiem loses 6-4 6-4 to Basilashvili in his first match in Sofia. He is 5-4 to start 2017, with 930 points to defend this month…

— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) February 9, 2017