Bulgaria's Tennis Star Dramatically Defeated at SAP Open

Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria returns the ball during his second round men`s singles match against Nicolas Almagro of Spain during the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 18 January 2012. EPA/BGNES

Grigor Dimitrov, Bulgaria's top male tennis player, lost to fifth-seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa in the first round of the SAP Open on Monday.

Anderson came from a set down to beat the Bulgarian 2-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3).

Despite the loss, Bulgaria's male tennis made history on Monday, as two players from the Balkan country entered the main draw of an ATP tournament for the first time ever.

24-year-old Dimitar Kutrovsky slew the Slovenian competitor, Luka Gregorc, his comfortable 6-2, 6-0 success against the world number 501 allowing him to enter the main draw at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.

In the first round,Kutrovski will face local star Dennis Lajola, who downed the Indian challenger, Yuki Bhambri, in straight sets to enter the main draw.

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