Grigor Dimitrov sees no point in playing down his ambitions any longer after routing qualifier Dennis Novak in his opening match of Australian Open 2018 on Monday.
MORE: All the latest scores and results
Adorned from head to toe in pink and gliding about the baseline on Rod Laver Arena on a windy afternoon, the world No.3 looked at ease in his newfound status as one of the game’s men to beat.
His 6-3 6-2 6-1 victory over the Austrian – ranked some 220 places beneath him – was authoritative in every aspect.
Dimitrov has become more accustomed to fielding questions about his goals since reaching last year’s Australian Open semifinals and going on to capture the biggest title of his career at the season-ending ATP Finals in 2017.
This is where it’s at for the 26-year-old – centre court with a Grand Slam title in mind.
“Match by match. It’s always been a dream of mine. Obviously this is the next step,” Dimitrov said of his Grand Slam ambitions. “I’m not going to lie, I don’t want to sound too modest.”
The last time Dimitrov was seen ripping winners from all corners on Rod Laver Arena was in his enthralling five-set semifinal defeat to Rafael Nadal in one of the highest-quality showdowns of last year’s men’s draw.
There he was seeded No.9. Just making it as far as the last four had matched his career-best run at a major, and there were few expectations against former champion Nadal.
Now at a career-high of No.3, he is expected to reach the semifinals. And there is a sense only triumph at the end of the fortnight would be enough at the Grand Slams from here on in.
Not that the Bulgarian was changing his mindset from round to round.
“Everybody can play well,” he said of his prospects. “I think all the opponents are pretty dangerous. As I said, people are excited, fresh, just starting the year.
“For me, it's going to be all about my game and how I'm going to deal with it.
“That's all I'm really focusing on. The rest, it's not in my control. I just really need to stay focused, need to stay composed.”
Novak, who was riding a three-match winning streak at Melbourne Park having won through qualifying, had his more highly-credentialed countryman, No.5 seed Dominic Thiem, in his player’s box.
But it was to little avail. Despite needing eight set points to seal the opening set, the Bulgarian quickly brought the 24-year-old qualifier undone.
With the breakthrough and the return of sun to the court, Dimitrov broke immediately for 1-0 and reeled off consecutive backhand winners to secure the double-break for 4-1 in the second set.
He served out a two-set lead with an ace, and when a dipping passing shot caught out the Austrian for the early break in the third set, Dimitrov sprung in the air in celebration for 2-1.
The No.3 seed had never lost to a qualifier at a major, let alone to a player ranked as low as the Austrian, and by set three, Novak never looked like bucking that trend.
One final backhand error from the Austrian handed the Bulgarian a routine 98-minute victory. He will meet another qualifier in the second round, with Mackenzie McDonald and Elias Ymer to square off for the honour.
