MATCH REPORT | 2024 Brisbane International: Grigor DIMITROV seals first title since 2017 with Holger RUNE win as incredible form continues

Grigor Dimitrov has snapped a six year title drought by winning the Brisbane International in supreme fashion joining Elena Rybakina as the victors this week in Australia with a 7-6(5), 6-4 win over Holger Rune in the showpiece final on Sunday.

It is a ninth ATP title for Dimitrov, who reached the final of the Paris Masters to end last season and has collected a title to start the 2024 season. It is a first since the ATP Finals in 2017, when he began the year with a title in Brisbane. He holds more match wins in this tournament with 23 than any other player.

The first set saw all the drama as both players had multiple break points, but neither could forge an opportunity and thus an advantage. Rune had three chances to break, while Dimitrov had two and so a deserved tie-break was needed to decide the opener. Dimitrov got two mini-breaks which proved vital as he went on to claim it 7-5.

In the second set saw Dimitrov narrowly seal it albeit it could've been a lot more smoother as he had seven break point chances showing the exerted pressure he was putting on the serve of the young Dane. He used one which was enough and he eventually sealed the match. The Bulgarian is playing some of his best tennis right now since the 2017 season when he last sealed a title and could yet be a real dark horse when it comes to the Australian Open.

Real green shoots too for Rune who without Boris Becker and Severin Luthi with him also had his most successful week since Wimbledon when illness and injury blighted him for the rest of the season so a bright start from both but a deserved title for Dimitrov.