Glorious Grigor Dimitrov downs Daniil Medvedev after excruciating clash at 2023 Paris Masters

Grigor Dimitrov defeated Daniil Medvedev after an excruciating battle in the Round of 32 at the 2023 Paris Masters, winning their match 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (2).

The World No. 17 took on the third seed after overcoming a three-set thriller against Lorenzo Musetti in the first round. Prior to this clash, Medvedev led their head-to-head 6-2, meaning that Dimitrov would have to dig deep to win against the Russian.

However, this was exactly what he was able to do. The first set was perhaps surprisingly straightforward for the Bulgarian player as he broke Medvedev in his very first service game of the match.

Medvedev then got several break points of his own in Dimitrov's fourth service game, and after a long back and forth on deuce, put the set back on serve. However, Dimitrov came back in the very next game to break Medvedev once again and get ahead, ultimately winning the opener 6-3.

However, the World No. 3 was not about to give up without a fight, and at the beginning of the second set it seemed as though he was in control of play for the first time. Indeed, it wasn't long before Medvedev secured a break and built up a 5-2 lead.

Nevertheless, Dimitrov was able to break back and level the set at 5-5, which earned him chants of "Grigor!" from the audience, who simultaneously booed his opponent. This annoyed Medvedev, who walked back to his bench and refused to play until the crowd were quiet. It didn't distract him too much though as he pushed ahead in the tiebreak to force a decider.

Both players came out fighting in the third set. While Dimitrov got the first break and even served for the match, Medvedev was able to stay in it.

Ultimately, a tiebreak was required, where Dimitrov pushed ahead for a 6-2 lead, successfully converting the first of four match points in the tie (and the third of seven in the match) to pull off his third Top 5 win in the space of five weeks.