Bulgaria's Dimitrov Upsets Croatian Dodig at Bangkok ATP Tournament

Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria returns to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during their second round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 23 June 2011. EPA/BGNES

Grigor Dimitrov, Bulgaria's top male tennis hopeful, has defeated Croatian Ivan Dodig, world No 37, in the first round of the ATP 250 tournament in the Thai capital Bangkok.

The Bulgarian youngster won 6:2, 7:5 and seemed back on track after a couple of disappointing performances. 2011 is the best year for the strong 26-years-old Croat who had recently succeeded in reaching No 33. The Bulgarian is currently ranked 76th.

Dimitrov started off the match in fine form with a pair of service breaks in the first set. The Bulgarian had 3 chances to break in the opening frame, converting 2 of them while Dodig never had the chance for a break point.

Dodig looked as though he might forge a comeback in the second set. The Croat went up 2-0, but he could not serve well enough to hold off Dimitrov, Tennistalk reports.

Dimitrov will take on the winner of Ernests Gulbis and Simone Bolelli in the second round.

Last autumn, Dimitrov won 2 subsequent ATP challengers in Bangkok which helped him progress in the ATP ranking.

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