Dimitrov ends Del Potro dominance with 1st win at Cincinnati Masters

Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 18, (GNA/dpa) - Grigor Dimitrov managed a 6-3, 7-5 defeat of Juan Martin del Potro on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters as he beat the Argentine for the first time in six tries.

The Bulgarian seventh seed was pleased to finally earn victory in the series against his occasional doubles partner.

"I lost five times against him, what can I say?" Dimitrov said. "He's a tricky opponent. He's won a slam, and quite a few tournaments. He's a super-experienced player."

Dimitrov added: "Against him, you can't pull the trigger on the forehand too early, because he has one of the best forehands in the game. If you get him on the run, that forehand cross-court is going to come chase you down."

Dimotrov's form has fallen off after he raced to a 16-1 record in the opening months of the season; he owns 2017 titles in Brisbane and his native Sofia.

Dimitrov was joined in the final four of the joint ATP-WTA event by 2014 finalist David Ferrer. The veteran Spaniard beat compatriot and 11th seed Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4, 6-4.

Yoshita Sugita of Japan advanced over young Russian Karol Khachanov 6-7 (0-7), 6-3, 6-3, while American Jared Donaldson stopped Nicolaz Basilashvili of Georgia 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).

In women's play, second seed Simona Halep had to work to overcome what she called poor form on the day as she defeated 15th seed Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia 6-4, 6-3.

"The the match felt quite tough, it was not easy at all," said the Romanian. "I'm not playing my best tennis in this moment, but winning, even if I play less good.

"That's a big plus for me. I won against 15th player in the world playing not as I want. It's a big thing, and I'm really happy about it."

"I'm having tough days, it's normal."
Former number one and sixth seed Caroline Wozniacki advanced over Ash Barty 6-4, 6-2 a day after the Australian eliminated Venus Williams.

GNA