The score may seem quite dry, but Grigor Dimitrov did not have a walk in the park against Brandon Nakashima (6-3, 6-4). Indeed, the two men remained very close throughout the match. The Bulgarian surely thought he had done the most difficult by winning the first set after a series of three games in a row. Series he even brought to five after a quick break in the second set. The outcome of the match seemed to be in no doubt.
Except that Nakashima rebelled and erased the break in stride. Returning to 2-2, he forced Dimitrov to save three break points. But, with experience, the world No. 20 managed to raise his level of play each time he was under pressure. This is what Nakashima will have missed, who will have had to settle for a constant level throughout the game.
In the second round, Dimitrov will find the one who has already blocked his way in Barcelona and Madrid, Stefanos Tsitsipas.
