Dimitrov claims first title in six years with victory over Rune in Brisbane

Grigor Dimitrov won his ninth ATP Tour title on Sunday at the Brisbane International presented by Evie, beating Holger Rune 7-6(5), 6-4 and ending a six-year title drought in the process.

Only one setback: Dimitrov's parents, Dimitar and Maria, had to leave the final early to catch a flight home.

"I told them goodbye before the match and I was checking the clock a few times to see if I would finish the match a little earlier but unfortunately it was not that easy,” Dimitrov said.

"But it's been amazing to have them around the past two to three weeks. They have to go back to work, have to go back to their own lives. I think we have a great balance the way we see each other. I'm going to try to make that happen more throughout the year.

Dimitrov, 32, won his first title since the Nitto ATP Finals in 2017, when he also started the year with a title in Brisbane, where he has more match wins (23) than any other player.

“It’s been a while since I held one of these, it’s a bit emotional,” Dimitrov said as he lifted the trophy. "My love affair started here many years ago in Brisbane and it continues. I’m very thankful to lift the trophy again.”

Rune came out determined to dominate the Bulgarian, but the former World No. 3 relied on his serve and net play to emerge as a deserving winner in an entertaining final.

After dropping the first set to Andy Murray in his season opener, Dimitrov played himself into form during the tournament, winning 10 straight sets. He's also 2-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Rune.

Dimitrov's title run moves him up to 13th in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. He hopes to re-enter the Top 10 for the first time since October 2018.

SportsLigue