Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Grigor Dimitrov emerged victorious from an epic encounter with reigning Wimbledon champion Andy Murray to reach the final of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco.
In a gruelling match that lasted until the small hours of the Mexican morning, Bulgarian number one Dimitrov recovered from the loss of the first set to win 4-6 7-6 (7/5) 7-6 (7/3) and book a showdown with big-serving South African Kevin Anderson.
Murray, who was playing in his first semi-final since winning Wimbledon last year, started strongly but wavered enough to allow Dimitrov to clinch a second-set tie-break.
The 22-year-old Bulgarian then fluffed a chance to break Murray for victory in the decider but dominated the last breaker to reach the third final of his career.
Murray dropped his opening service game in each of his previous three matches this week, but the boot was on the other foot this time around as he got the immediate break when Dimitrov pulled a forehand wide after a lengthy rally.
And, despite facing three break points, Murray held for a 2-0 lead.
Dimitrov held to get himself on the board and Murray followed suit, before sealing a second break for a commanding first-set advantage.
Some dominant play at the net saw the Bulgarian rally to reach 5-4 but Murray would not be moved on his own serve and duly clinched the opening set - his seventh in a row against Dimitrov.
He took the first game of the second set and, after Murray held, Dimitrov exulted with the crowd after winning an epic rally to go 2-1 up.
From that point on he retained the upper hand. While Murray could seemingly do no wrong on his own serve, Dimitrov was giving absolutely nothing away and the Scot did well to force the tie-break.
However, Dimitrov quickly surged into a 6-1 lead and, despite Murray forcing the breaker back to 6-5, he would surrender his first ever set to the Bulgarian in their third career meeting.
Murray soon found himself down a break in the third set as fatigue began to take its toll.
Dimitrov's dazzling display continued and he built a 4-2 lead before the British number one decided to drop deep in order to rally towards clawing a game back.
Dimitrov then put himself in prime position to meet Anderson by winning the eighth game on the stroke of 2am local time, but Murray promptly held to force his opponent into serving for the match.
The Scot let a break point pass him by when losing a fearsome rally but would level at 5-5 as Dimitrov's nerves led him to make two unforced errors.
The 11th game was an epic tug-of-war that went Murray's way and, having served for the match minutes earlier, Dimitrov was suddenly tasked with serving to stay in the tournament.
He held to love.
A visibly frustrated Murray would take the first point but Dimitrov duly powered through the breaker to clinch a dramatic victory over the second seed in just under three hours.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments