The 2024 Laver Cup heated up in the first of the night session matches as Grigor Dimitrov beat Alejandro Tabilo 7-6(4) 7-6(2) in one of the most watchable matches in the competition’s seven-year history. After two absorbing victories for Francisco Cerundolo and Stefanos Tsitsipas in the opening day’s afternoon session, Dimitrov and Tabilo put on a feast of varied stroke-making for the tennis aficionados both in Berlin’s Uber Arena and watching on TV around the world. The two sets lasted two hours 15 minutes, and despite a lull in the second set, the contest came to life in two exhilarating tiebreaks. The result gives Team Europe a 2-1 lead going into the weekend’s first doubles.

Dimitrov Returns to the Laver Cup Even if niggling injuries have reared their head in 2024, the Bulgarian has had an encouraging year on the ATP Tour, and the experienced operator is the favourite to notch the win over his Chilean opponent in a rematch of their titanic three-set battle in Miami six months back.

Dimitrov's 2024 has been admirable, with the Bulgarian experiencing his first quarter-final run at the big four leading events on the tennis calendar since the 2021 Australian Open. The Bulgarian advancing to the quarters in Paris and recently at the US Open was the first time since 2014 that he progressed to the last eight of more than one Major in a calendar year. While a quest for a second semi-final US Open appearance ended after the 33-year-old was forced to retire in the last-eight battle with Frances Tiafoe, he returns to the court at this year's Laver Cup after replacing Rafael Nadal. However, the world No. 10's sharpness remains uncertain, as he has not played a match since his encounter with Tiafoe at the beginning of the month.

Tabilo Aims to End Losing Streak Tabilo undoubtedly hopes to face a rusty Dimitrov on Friday, with the Chilean entering the 2024 event on a worrisome losing streak. The 27-year-old is winless in singles or doubles since a two-set success over Lorenzo Sonego at the Canadian Masters last month, underscoring the troubles of the world No. 22, who enters this year's tournament on the back of a six-match losing sequence. The Laver Cup debutant aims to snap that unwanted streak against his more experienced opponent, keen to notch the guaranteed point for Team World on day one after Casper Ruud faces off with Francisco Cerundolo and Stefanos Tsitsipas battles Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second singles match-up of the event. Being the fourth-ranked player on Team World, behind Taylor Fritz, Tiafoe and Ben Shelton, the out-of-form 27-year-old hopes to play a pivotal role against a Team Europe side close to full power.

Dimitrov's Previous Laver Cup Experience Both men have faced off once on the ATP Tour, with Dimitrov coming out victorious in a tightly contested three-setter in Miami en route to the final, where he lost to Jannik Sinner. Despite recent struggles, Tabilo has notched two titles in 2024, one more than the experienced player's sole success. Unlike the Chilean, Dimitrov has previous Laver Cup experience, albeit seven years ago in the 2018 event where he beat Tiafoe in his only singles match and lost in doubles with David Goffin against Nick Kyrgios and Jack Sock. Much will depend on Dimitrov's sharpness, having not played competitive tennis since exiting the US Open due to injury. Regardless, we are backing the smooth operator to outwit Tabilo if everything comes together on the court, thus extending the Chilean's winless sequence.

Dimitrov's Comeback Win The Bulgarian came from 5-1 down in the second set and saved three set points to clinch victory. Grigor Dimitrov won six of the last seven games as he beat Chilean Alejandro Tabilo 7-6 (4), 7-6 ( to give Team Europe a 2-1 lead over Team World at the Laver Cup in Berlin on Friday. The Bulgarian won the first set on the tiebreak but trailed 5-1 in the second set before roaring back, saving three set points and surviving a physical issue late in the set to put Europe ahead for the first time in this year’s event. “Great fight,” Dimitrov said. “I played him once this year and it was a similar situation. I was very happy with the way I moved around the court and moved him around the court. It was very hard to return. When I was down in the second set I just tried to be very patient and go point by point. I had some momentum and then I played a good tiebreak.” Dimitrov had to pull out during the quarter-final of the US Open due to a left leg injury and it seemed like the left leg was again the problem as he hauled himself back into the match and got himself over the line. “Let’s see, it’s a bit difficult (to tell),” he said, of his injury. “Hopefully it’s nothing too serious. The body’s been struggling, I’m not going to lie. I fee like I’m playing great tennis but my body is not allowing me to push through.” Dimitrov took the first set on the tiebreak, winning it 7-4 and looked to be on his way to an early break in the second set. But Tabilo saved three break points to hold for 1-1 and suddenly raised his game, his drop shot becoming a real threat. Two breaks of serve put him in charge at 4-1 and extended his lead to 5-2 only to falter, broken for the first time in the match, from 40-15, with a double fault to let Dimitrov back into the set. The Bulgarian held to force Tabilo to serve it out and he couldn’t do it, a brilliant Dimitrov return denying him on his third set point. Suddenly Tabilo was tight and Dimitrov was redlining, hitting winners all over the place. At 5-5, he held to love and though Tabilo held to force another tiebreak but Dimitrov played beautifully throughout to win it 7-2.

Earlier, Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Thanaasi Kokkinakis 6-1, 6-4 to bring Team Europe level at 1-1, Francisco Cerundolo having beaten Casper Ruud in the opener, 6-4, 6-4. Every match on day one counts for one point. On day two, each match counts for two points and on the final day, all matches count for three points.