By defeating David Goffin 6-0, 6-2, Grigor Dimitrov not only guarantees himself a place in Saturday's semifinal, but he also stamps his mark on Bulgarian history.
In doing so, he becomes the first Bulgarian player to reach the semifinals in the 48-year history of the Nitto ATP Finals. And despite now living in Monte Carlo, the world No.6 took time in his post-match press conference to pay tribute to his roots.
"Deep down in my heart, I'm Bulgarian," he said. "I still have a Bulgarian passport. I compete for Bulgaria. I'm proud to be Bulgarian. Zero shame of anything of that, or anywhere else I lived in the world."
He also had to put right one journalist's miscalculations around the number of Grigor's ex-girlfriends ...
Grigor Dimitrov was in good spirits in his post match press conference, and it's no wonder really given that he described his 6-0, 6-2 victory over David Goffin as his best performance since the Australian Open. He even quipped about a Russian ex-girlfriend ... "you mentioned only one girlfriend in there? Man, c'mon (laughter)".
For Goffin, it just wasn't his day. Was it his overly strapped knee causing him bother? Or perhaps it was the gruelling two and a half hour battle with World No.1 on Monday?
"No," said Goffin. "I'm feeling 100%."
Goodness knows what classifies as an off-day then, David?!
When it's just not your day... ๐#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/pAo0a5ZsBp
โ Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 15 November 2017
But hey, on the bright side, you did beat Grigor to our shot of the day award:
How good was that? ๐ฎ#NittoATPFinals @David__Goffin pic.twitter.com/D4K8hbRkam
โ Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 13 November 2017
Though the Bryan brothers -- who lost to top seeded doubles pair Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo 6-4, 6-3 earlier in the day -- came in at a commendable second:
Teasing tricks and tweeners.
โ Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 15 November 2017
They're showing off in the doubles...#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/vo7wNs12gA
An early Sock-ing present for Jack ...
On Tuesday, Jack Sock became the first American to win a singles match at the event since 2007 when he ousted Marin Cilic 5-7, 6-2, 7-6.
As a congratulations present -- and as a good luck ahead of his next contest against Alexander Zverev on Thursday -- NFL UK sent the Kansas Chiefs fan an early Christmas gift ...
We thought we'd give @Chiefs super fan @JackSock a good luck gift before his match tomorrow at the #NittoATPFinals in London! ๐ฌ๐ง๐๐พ https://t.co/0Z55dV5j25
โ NFL UK (@NFLUK) 15 November 2017
We wonder if the new stash will make its way into Jack's tennis wardrobe ...
On this day in history: Verdasco is born!
While Pablo Carreno Busta was battling it out against Dominic Thiem on centre court here at the ATP Finals (with the Austrian eventually crunching a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4), his Spanish compatriot, Fernando Verdasco, was celebrating his 34th Birthday.
Here's a flashback to some 2005 Fernando magic, for old time's sake:
Happy 34th Birthday to @FerVerdasco!
โ US Open Tennis (@usopen) 15 November 2017
Enjoy this little birthday treat from many moons ago...
๐ฅ: 2005 R3 ๐ Djokovic pic.twitter.com/cprby96F2i
An alternative practice court
In preparation for his Round Robin match against Carreno Busta, Dominic Thiem found himself an alternative practice court ...
Not sure we can see this setup catching on, Dominic.