Grigor Dimitrov claims 2024 Brisbane International title triumph with win over Holger Rune

Grigor Dimitrov defeated Holger Rune 7-6(5) 6-4 in the Brisbane International final on Sunday in Australia.

The 32-year-old Bulgarian might have been the underdog but he was in better form when it mattered, and he edged the first set as he used his experience to take the lead on a tie-break.

He continued to press Rune, recovering from a mid-point slip early in the second set to stay in contention.

A break of serve allowed him to move 5-3 ahead and just a game from victory, in what would be his first ATP title since 2017, when he won the season-ending ATP Final in one of the best years of his career.

That left the Dane needing to hold serve to stay in the match, and he was taken to deuce, but he managed to hold on for one more game.

Dimitrov then sent down his eighth ace of the match to wrap up the second, decisive set to end his long title drought.