Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria celebrates during the singles semifinal match against Jack Sock of the United States at the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena in London, Britain on Nov. 18, 2017. Grigor Dimitrov won 2-1. (Xinhua/Han Yan)
LONDON, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov fought back from one set down to advance past American Jack Sock 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 in the semifinals of the ATP Finals at London's O2 Arena here on Saturday.
The Bulgarian will meet seventh seed David Goffin, who upset six-time former champion Roger Federer 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 earlier, in the title match on Sunday.
Dimitrov, who has won three trophies this season, became the first debutant to reach the final since David Ferrer of Spain in 2007.
Even if he loses on Sunday, though, he's guaranteed another career-high in the ATP world rankings.
Sock, who secured the qualification for the season finale by winning the Paris Masters two weeks ago, controlled play with his forehand in the first set.
Dimitrov took command in the second set, giving no chance to the the American. He went ahead in the third 5-3 and earned four match points in the his serving game.
But Sock saved all of them and even had two break points before Dimitrov clinched the win when Sock netted a forehand.
"Sometimes not only you have to fight yourself mentally, but you need to fight the demons from previous matches or your opponent," Dimitrov said. "But I was very happy the way I handled the pressure. Even though I was down a break point, even if I had to play an extra game or games, I had to accept it. I think, regardless, you learn from those moments. I certainly learned from that experience."
Goffin also came back from a set down to eliminate six-time champion Federer and pick up his first win against Federer after six failed attempts.
Goffin, who qualified for the season finale for the first time, will play for the biggest title of his career on Sunday.
"For the first time I played my best tennis, and I played a little bit more relaxed after the first set. I started to feel the ball really well for the first time, and continued to serve and played my best tennis today," Goffin said.
Goffin becomes the first player to beat the top 2 players in the tournament since 2009, when champion Nikolay Davydenko beat No. 2 Rafael Nadal in group play and No. 1 Federer in the semifinals.
"Both are really special," he said. "It was the first time against Rafa. Then the semifinal for the first time for me here, and to beat Roger for the first time here in such a big event, big tournament, it was the perfect moment."
A disappointed Federer said, "think it was a tough game to get broken at 1-0 for him in the second [set]. I had I think multiple game chances to get out of the game and go 1-1, keep the pressure up.
"I think things really turned around for him at that moment. He started to feel better from the return, from the baseline. He wasn't missing as much anymore. He was returning also much better off the second serve after that.
"I just think the better returner won over the better server today."
Federer, who won seven titles this year, said he was satisfied with the performance this season.
"It's been an amazing year for me. I've been so happy that I was playing at this level from the beginning till basically the end, till today. So it's been great. Really enjoyed myself in the process," he said.
