"It was a difficult match... I had my chances in the second set, but Grigor played well and I was tired. But I kept fighting, I wanted to see where my limits were" , explained the winner after a match full of unforced errors (43 for Davidovich, 38 for Dimitrov).
After winning the first set, he led 4-2 in the second.
Then at 5-3, he went through a bad series by scoring only three points out of twelve, including two on double faults from the Bulgarian.
So that the latter passed in front 6-5.
The 22-year-old Spaniard stopped the bleeding and won the tie break, without however being able to prevent the former world No.3 from returning to a set everywhere.
Obviously exhausted by the energy he has been displaying since the start of the tournament, which notably enabled him to beat world No.1 Novak Djokovic in the second round, Davidovich seemed to lose his footing when he found himself trailing 2- 0 in the deciding round.
But he hung on and lined up five games in a row to lead 5-2, not without saving two double break points that would have allowed his opponent to lead 3-0.
Then he got three match points on his serve and concluded with an ace on the second.
Sunday for his first final on the ATP circuit (after three defeats in the semis), Davidovich will face the German Alexander Zverev (3rd) or the Greek defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas (5th).
© 2022 AFP