Dimitrov rediscovers rhythm on Brisbane courts
Grigor Dimitrov’s swift dispatch of Pablo Carreno Busta signals a promising 2026 return, amid Norrie’s match-point heroics and a draw alive with upsets at the Brisbane International.
Under Brisbane‘s morning humidity, Grigor Dimitrov glided across the baseline, his pectoral scar a faint echo of last summer’s toll. In his second match since that Wimbledon injury against Jannik Sinner, the Bulgarian carved through Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, his one–two patterns landing with precision on the outdoor hard courts. The 68-minute clinic at the Brisbane International presented by ANZ revived memories of his two titles here, each crosscourt backhand dipping low to force hurried replies.
Dimitrov’s serve hummed with control, 80 percent first balls in play, setting up inside-out forehands that stretched the Spaniard wide before down-the-line passes sealed points. After a brief Paris comeback where he edged Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard before withdrawing, the 34-year-old layered heavier topspin to shield his shoulder, shortening rallies to evade prolonged strain. This wasn’t mere survival; it was a tactical reclaiming of space, his underspin slices skidding unpredictably on the grippy surface.
“It is so good to see you guys,“ Dimitrov said. ”Starting the year here is always so special for me. I am just grateful. These months have been very difficult in terms of preparation, mentality. My body had so much to go through, but just to be able to compete again today, it is already a success and of course winning is just an added bonus right now. I am feeling good, I was feeling well on the court, so let’s see how we go.”
Rehab forges sharper edges
At 34, Dimitrov negotiates each stroke with the caution of experience, his game evolving through those quiet rehab hours. The Brisbane courts, faster than clay yet forgiving with spin, amplified his variety—drop shots pulling Carreno Busta forward, only for lobs to arc over his reach. Next, Raphael Collignon looms, the French qualifier’s baseline aggression testing whether this form withstands the draw’s rising pulse.
The crowd’s murmurs built with every hold, sensing the veteran’s quiet fire amid the Australian Open’s shadow. Dimitrov’s composure, absent in his hurried Paris exit, now anchors his run, each point a step toward reclaiming top-20 ground in 2026. Brisbane’s moderate pace suits his adaptations, where directional changes outfox power plays.
Norrie claws back from the edge
Across the complex, Cameron Norrie channeled defiance, saving three match points to outlast Ugo Humbert 1-6, 7-6(6), 7-5 in two hours and 36 minutes. From 3-6 down in the second-set tiebreak, the British lefty dialed in slice backhands to blunt the Frenchman’s flat bombs, extending rallies until errors crept in. Their head-to-head now sits at 2-2, Norrie’s crosscourt depth turning defense into a gritty advance.
The humid air thickened the tension, Norrie’s serve-volley risks paying off on points where Humbert hesitated at net. This resilience, forged in longer exchanges, positions him against Aleksandar Kovacevic, who earlier stifled Nick Kyrgios 6-3, 6-4. The 30-year-old Australian, in his first tour-level singles since Miami last March, sprayed inside-in forehands wide, his flat game yielding to Kovacevic’s steady counters honed in 2025 finals at Montpellier and Los Cabos.
Upsets stir the early draw
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard unleashed 24 aces to topple fourth seed Tommy Paul 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(6), his big serve booming on the hard courts where he reached the semis last year. Paul, back from a left foot injury that ended his 2025 with a third-round US Open loss in August, slipped on returns, his one–two setups unraveling against the Frenchman’s height and power. The American’s frustration peaked in a netted volley, underscoring the comeback’s mental grind.
Brandon Nakashima rode precise inside-out backhands to defeat second seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6(4), 6-4, pinning the Spaniard in extended rallies. Raphael Collignon added to the chaos, routing fifth seed Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-2 with counterpunching that absorbed the Canadian’s blasts. Local Rinky Hijikata dominated Adam Walton 6-3, 6-2 in an all-Australian matchup, his topspin forehands controlling the baseline tempo.
These skirmishes pulse with 2026’s unpredictability, where returnees like Dimitrov and Paul navigate injury echoes amid aggressive qualifiers. Brisbane’s draw, blending veterans and risers, sets pathways to the Open, each upset sharpening the focus on adaptation and edge.
