World No.405 Kevin King reacts to upset win over Grigor Dimitrov at Atlanta
Qualifier world No. 405 Kevin King didn't hide his happiness after stunning Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in the Atlanta first round.
King entered the match as a huge underdog but still claimed a straight-set win 7-5 6-4 over the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion and former world No. 3.
King, an Atlanta native, attended the Georgia Tech University.
"It’s fantastic. Wouldn’t have rather done it at any other place,” King said post-match, as revealed on the ATP website. “It was a great crowd out there, great energy, so I’m just thrilled to have won that.”
The match started with three breaks of serve as Dimitrov led 2-1 after the opening three games of the first set.
Dimitrov was on the verge of winning the first set but then King broke the Bulgarian twice in a row to steal the first set after being 5-3 down.
Dimitrov appeared to have recovered from losing the first set as he started the second set with consecutive breaks of serve.
The Bulgarian then turned off as King broke the Bulgarian three times in a row to win five games in a row and take a 5-3 lead.
Dimitrov managed to break back King in the following game but still lost the match after losing his serve for the fourth game in a row.
King's father William -- who suffered a stroke and watched his son play for the first time in two years this past weekend in the qualifying -- was also in attendance.
"It’s very special,” King admitted. “It’s been a couple years since he’s seen me play, so just happy that he’s able to come out and support me."
King plays next against fellow compatriot and No. 2 seed Taylor Fritz.
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