LONDON, November 19, 2017

Grigor Dimitrov is the first debutant to advance to the Nitto ATP Finals since David Ferrer in 2007. The 26-year-old Bulgarian, who has won all three of his Group Pete Sampras matches, fought past US-American Jack Sock 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 on Saturday night.

Dimitrov gained the decisive break in the eighth game of the final set with a forehand winner down the line and served out in the following, converting his fourth match point when Sock netted a forehand after just under two hours of play.

Jack Sock (photo: Florian Heer)

“When you play a guy, a player of that caliber, you can’t give him that many opportunities, that many free points. He took advantage today,” Sock told during his post-match press conference.

“He stepped up his level for sure. There’s a reason he’s been playing this consistently all year. That’s the reason he’s in the final.”

Dimitrov To Face Goffin

Dimitrov will take on David Goffin for the title. The pair will meet for the sixth time with the Bulgarian leading 4-1 in head-to-head records. Dimitrov beat Goffin in the group stage 6-0, 6-2.

“Obviously David’s done well this week. I mean, beating Rafa, Roger, those are big wins,” Dimitrov said.

“I think his confidence is going to be up there. But I’m not going to focus on his confidence or his game right now. I’m just focusing on myself, the recovery that I’m going to do today. Of course, it’s not going to be the same after I played against him. But, yeah, it’s another match for me.

“I think also is a different stage for both of us. It’s a wonderful day to play on.”

Dimitrov is going to finish the season on a career high World No. 3.

“The goal was to finish the year top 10. Now I finished 3. It’s great. What can I say?

“It’s a wonderful reward. This is what I’ve been working for. To finish the year in that manner, I think it’s not only good for me, I think for the whole team. I think that gives us a very good platform to start in the off-season and to have a good start of next year.”