Dimitrov wins biggest career title at ATP Finals

Grigor Dimitrov has claimed the biggest title of his career and sent out a huge statement of intent, beating David Goffin to win the ATP World Tour Finals.

The 26-year-old recovered from losing his opening two service games to get the better of his opponent, but it was fiercely-fought two-and-a-half hour duel with Goffin saving four match points before finally succumbing 7-5 4-6 6-3.

The first Bulgarian to play at the eight-man year-end event beat the first Belgian to do the same in a fitting end to the ATP season.

Dimitrov, 26, with a decade on the ATP, won the first final since 1970 to feature two first-time qualifiers.

He will rise to a career-best ranking of No.3 in the world, behind only world No.1 Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

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Goffin managed only two games against Dimitrov when they met on Wednesday in group play, but the world No.8, who claimed a rare double of beating both Nadal and Federer this week, was a different proposition this time.

He was the better player early on, using his pinpoint accuracy to keep Dimitrov under control.

But a double-fault at 4-3, 30-30 opened the door for Dimitrov to break back for a second time and he converted as Goffin sent a forehand long.

Dimitrov, who had a 100 per cent record in the group matches, asserted himself at the business end of the set and piled on the pressure when Goffin served at 5-6.

Goffin saved four set points, two with forehand winners, but double-faulted on a game point of his own before Dimitrov forced an error to wrap up the opener.

Goffin took the second set with a single break of serve and had chances at the start of the third set.

Yet Dimitrov broke for a 4-2 lead and although Goffin saved three match points at 5-2 down to keep the game alive and rescued another on the Bulgarian’s serve, he finally deposited a volley into the net on the fifth match point.

While Dimitrov will enjoy his win with a holiday before preparing for the 2018 season, Goffin will spearhead Belgium’s Davis Cup final title in Lille against France.