Grigor Dimitrov Advances in US Open Qualifying Match

Former world No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov secured a commanding victory in the first round of the 2026 US Open qualifying tournament in Flushing Meadows, New York. The Bulgarian defeated Italy's Lorenzo Giustino 6-0, 6-3 to advance to the second qualifying round.

Dimitrov, currently ranked 137th globally, controlled the opening set by winning 70% of his first-serve points and converting all three break-point opportunities. The 35-year-old opened the second set with an immediate break before closing out the win on his first match point.

The victory marks another step in Dimitrov's effort to return to the main draw at Flushing Meadows, where he previously reached the semifinals in 2019 and the quarterfinals in 2024. The former top-10 player has faced setback challenges in recent seasons due to persistent injuries.

Dimitrov will next face Kazakhstan's Timofey Skatov, who holds the world No. 205 ranking. Skatov enters the matchup with a 9-4 record on hardcourts and more than 30 overall match wins across all surfaces this season.

The qualifying rounds at the Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center feature three rounds of competition to determine the final entries for the main draw of the season's final Grand Slam event.