GENEVA: Outsider Nicolas Jarry beat Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets in the Geneva Open final on Saturday, sending him into next week’s French Open bolstered by a clay court title.

Chilean Jarry, the world number 54, beat Dimitrov 7-6 (7/1), 6-1 at the Parc des Eaux-Vives to claim only the third singles title of his career. The last of Dimitrov’s eight titles came when he won the ATP Finals on his debut in 2017, but it was not to be for the Bulgarian world number 33 who never recovered his rhythm after losing the tie-break.

“I’m having a great year, I’m very happy,” Jarry said afterwards.

It was a third straight scalp for Jarry. He knocked out top seed and world number four Casper Ruud, the 2021 and 2022 defending champion, in the quarter finals. The Chilean then beat Alexander Zverev in the semis.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2023