Dimitrov Races Past Millman, Into Brisbane QF

Twelve months ago, Grigor Dimitrov needed to save two match points to beat hometown favourite John Millman at the Brisbane International.

On Wednesday, however, Dimitrov needed only two sets. The 2017 champion held off a second-set comeback to accelerate his clean start to the 2019 season, 6-3, 6-4.

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Dimitrov led by a set and double break, 6-3, 4-1. But Millman served for a 5-4 advantage before Dimitrov broke for the fourth time and then served out the second-round match.

The Bulgarian is into the quarter-finals for the sixth time in seven Brisbane appearances. He will next meet American Denis Kudla or second seed Kei Nishikori of Japan. Nishikori leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 4-1; Dimitrov and Kudla split their two prior matchups.

Japanese qualifier Yasutaka Uchiyama earned the upset of the tournament so far. The 26-year-old, No. 185 in the ATP Rankings, dismissed third seed Kyle Edmund of Great Britain 7-6(6), 6-4.

Uchiyama hit 15 aces and saved all three break points faced to knock out the World No. 14 Edmund, who made the Australian Open semi-finals last year. Uchiyama will will meet either Aussie Nick Kyrgios or Jeremy Chardy of France for a place in the semi-finals.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour http://bit.ly/2BVLfHt