Grigor Dimitrov has stunned Roger Federer in the 2019 US Open to make a shock entry into the semi-final after the legendary Swiss player struggled throughout the match with his back issues.
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Dimitrov came back from two sets to one to register one of the biggest wins of his career, his first ever over Federer and just the third in the quarter-final of a Grand Slam.
The Bulgarian, who was once ranked third in the world but has fallen off to outside the top 70, won 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 to register one of the most famous wins in US Open history. For Federer it was deja-vu from the previous year when he was surprised as early as in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows, going down to Australia’s John Millman.
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Speaking in the press conference at the end of the match, Federer admitted he was feeling unhappy about the defeat because he thought he had done well till that point.
“I feel low, you know. Just disappointed as I thought I was playing well. Thought if I could get through I’d have two days off. I was playing with it (the back injury) the whole time, but I was able to play.”
He added he needed attention to his upper back before exhorting the press to focus on Dimitrov’s victory instead of his fitness.
Federer doesn't want to take it away from Dimitrov. "I was able to play. It's okay. It's how it goes. I tried my best. By far not too bad to give up or anything.Grigor was able to put me away. I fought with what I had. That's it. So it's okay"
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 4, 2019
This result leaves Dimitrov to take on Daniil Medvedev in what is one of the most unexpected semi-final of the competition. At the start of the tournament, Medvedev was a dark horse going into it having won the title at Cincinnati but not too many would have expected him to get past Novak Djokovic.
As it turned out, Djokovic struggled with his fitness against Stan Wawrinka, who was then beaten by Medvedev last night to set up this shocking match-up.
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