Grigor Dimitrov captures first title in 2,240 days with Brisbane final win over Holger Rune

In earning his ninth career tour-level crown, Dimitrov is projected to rise one place to No. 13 in Monday’s ATP singles rankings. He is looking to get back inside the Top 10 for the first time since October 29, 2018 and has third-round points to back up at the Australian Open (l. to Djokovic in 2023). Dimitrov dropped as low as No. 78 in August 2019 before surging with a US Open semifinal run that year.

Neither Dimitrov nor Rune were able to break serve in the opening set, leading to an unpredictable tie-break. The Bulgarian opened with a 3-0 double mini break after Rune mistimed a backhand and then a forehand. Dimitrov later served it out on his third set point by moving forward to close out an overhead winner.

Rune survived a 24-point game and three break points to hold for 2-1 in the second set. But his opponent would not be denied.

At 3-3, Dimitrov looped a crosscourt backhand pass from the behind the middle of the baseline for 0-30—and arrived at two more break points when Rune’s inside-in forehand was yanked wide. After erasing the first, Rune repeated the same miscue off the serve +1 to get broken, smashing his racquet in frustration.

The Dane staved off a pair of championship points to hold for 4-5, before Dimitrov served it out at love with a finishing backhand drop volley winner. He was presented the champion by Pat Rafter, whose name graces the stadium court arena.