Dimitrov hopes to shake bug and take opportunity in Dubai

DUBAI: Grigor Dimitrov will count on a complete recovery from a brief illness as he plays as top seed at the upcoming Dubai Championships.

“Im getting out there. Its still been a little up and down,” said the Bulgarian, who arrived on Wednesday. “I came here a little bit earlier to acclimatise to the conditions. “Im still talking a little nosey here,” Dimitrov said on Sunday, still hoarse from the virus which left him out of energy as Roger Federer dominated last weeks final in Rotterdam.

“But Im better, overall better. Pretty much been practising every single day. That helps me just push through days. Hopefully with each day, Im going to be better and better.”The world number four heads the field at the Aviation Club and said that despite the absence of world number one Federer, the event still presents opportunities and challenges.

“I think always these kind of draws are creating very big opportunities for everyone to do their best, to do better, to push themselves more,” said Dimitrov, who heads Lucas Pouille and Roberto Bautista Agut in the seedings. “My goal is to be better with each match. This is what I did the last week, the week before. I feel like this is the key that I really need to focus on,” said the Australian Open quarter-finalist.