(Video) Grigor Dimitrov hits incredible shot from the floor against Gael Monfils at Indian Wells

Grigor Dimitrov entertained the crowd with an outrageous shot during his three-hour epic battle against Gael Monfils in the third round.

(Video) Grigor Dimitrov hits incredible shot from the floor against Gael Monfils at Indian Wells

Grigor Dimitrov hit an insane shot at Indian Wells against Gael Monfils (Image via X)

Grigor Dimitrov overcame Gael Monfils to secure a spot in the Indian Wells fourth round. The match saw the Bulgarian veteran come out on top with a 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6 (2) scoreline.

Both the players exhausted themselves in the three-hour battle but didn’t lose any opportunity from which they could win a point. It didn’t matter if Dimitrov had to lie flat on the ground to hit a winner, for it became one of the highlights of the match.

YouTube video

Monfils was on the cusp of claiming the first game of the second set. During their rally, both hit shots from the baseline but at one point, the Frenchman veered the ball near the net and Dimitrov sprinted and returned the shot.

FS Video

Monfils was successful in returning another shot which Dimitrov nearly missed. He dived and hit the shot from the floor to the delight of the crowd. Right after hitting the winner, Dimitrov gave a thumbs up and even a stunned Monfils couldn’t help smiling.

Watch the video here:

Grigor Dimitrov’s shot at Indian Wells

With this win, the World No.15 secured his third victory over Monfils in seven matches. He also surpassed John Isner at 11th in the list of most match wins in the history of ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. Monfils entered the tournament with his aim to become the second-oldest player to reach the fourth round of an ATP Masters 1000 tournament after Ivo Karlovic (2019 Indian Wells).

Grigor Dimitrov has a daunting task in front in the form of Carlos Alcaraz

Grigor Dimitrov is set to lock horns with World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz next and will be hoping to beat the Spaniard for the third consecutive time. While it wasn’t smooth sailing for Dimitrov, Alcaraz has so far faced no problems, for he powered past both of his first two opponents, Quentin Halys and Denis Shapovalov in straight sets.

Carlos Alcaraz (5)
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X)

Alcaraz has met Dimitrov five times and leads 3-2 in the head-to-bead encounter. Dimitrov, however, won those two matches on the trot when they met in the 2023 Shanghai Masters fourth round and the 2024 Miami Open quarterfinals.

Dimitrov is yet to reach the Indian Wells final. His best performance in the California desert came in 2021 when he progressed to the semifinals. Last year, eventual finalist Daniil Medvedev eliminated him from the fourth round.

Alcaraz, on the other hand, is bidding to become three-time Indian Wells champion, having lifted the ATP Masters 1000 title in the previous two editions. He beat Medvedev in both the finals.