Galery

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Maria S. Topalova

    Bulgaria triumphantly began the battle with Greece for remaining in the Europe/Africa Zone Group II for the Davis Cup. The atmosphere on the courts in the Athens Helioupolis district was sportsmanlike and there was a very positive attitude and respect for tennis.
    In accordance with the draw, the day started with a match between Grigor Dimitrov and young Markos Kalovelonis, the result being 6:3, 6:3 and 6:0 for the 15th best tennis player in the world. Markos won several interesting games without troubling Grigor, who was at his best.

Here you can watch a moment of Grigor Dimitrov’s overwhelming presence on Helioupolis courts:

     It even seemed from time to time that the talented Bulgarian was training, trying the same shot several times until he did it as he wanted to. At other times, he failed to score a point in order to avoid hitting one of the children on the court.

    "This was a good match, the atmosphere was great. I did not expect so many people to support me," winner Grigor Dimitrov said after the match. He particularly drew attention to the sportsmanship that had filled the courts and the stands, noting that such has rarely been observed in high-class tennis.

Here is what Grigor Dimitrov said after the match with Kalovelonis:

"I congratulate my opponent and wish him luck because this is the most important thing for the players who come from this part of the world," brilliant Grisho concluded.

     I asked Markos Kalovelonis which element of the game with Grigor was the most difficult for him and what he will remember from this match. Yesterday, the young Greek acknowledged that he had never faced such a strong rival before. "The return of serve was definitely the hardest for me. This is the fastest service that I have ever faced at the level at which I am playing. Surely, I have a lot to learn in the base line too. For me to play with a tennis player of this calibre is an outstanding experience. I am already self-confident that I can resist at least a set and a half," answered Markos.

Here are his words:

    The second match between Dimitar Kutrovski, 344th in the world and Theodoros Angelinos, 280^th, was far more dramatic. It lasted 3 hours and luckily, the Bulgarian tennis player won it. Bulgaria’s second best player beat Theodoros Angelinos 6:4, 6:3, 1:6, 6:3 and our national team took the lead with 2-0. The team of captain Todor Enev needs only one victory to retain its place in the second group of the Euro-African Zone Tournament.

In the first part, Kutrovski was able to make a breakthrough with 5:4 and then successfully served for the set. In the second, he was the better player on the court again and led due to a breakthrough. In the ninth game, when serving to Angelinos, Dimi came four times to set ball, managing to win in the second part in the last attempt. The host’s best player made ​​a breakthrough at the beginning of the next set. Kutrovski had three options for returning it to 2:2 but failed. By the end of the set Angelinos lost no game. In the fourth part, the Bulgarian player got cramps and fell behind, his score being 0:3. The Bulgarian player then advanced and made a turnaround, scoring 4:3 whereas his opponent also requested medical help for cramps. Kutrovski won the fifth game and was just a game away from the victory. Angelinos served but Dimi got to a match point. The Greek tennis player returned it, and then another one. In the third attempt, the national player was able to win the game.

    The doubles will take place tomorrow and Grigor Dimitrov and Dimitar Kutrovski will play against Alexandros Jakupovic, number 504 in the world ranking and Charalampos Kapogiannis, number 972.