Tunisian wildcard Malek Jaziri shocks top-seed Grigor Dimitrov in Dubai thriller

DUBAI: Top Arab tennis player Malek Jaziri pulled off one of the results of his career on Tuesday when he beat top seed Grigor Dimitrov in the Dubai Tennis Championships first round 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.
With the withdrawal of Roger Federer, Bulgarian Dimitrov was thrust into the favorite’s role for the tournament.
But the world No. 117 and wildcard entry pulled off a remarkable comeback to beat the world No. 4 in three sets at the Aviation Club.
Dimitrov might blame feeling under the weather for his defeat, however, as he had been suffering from a brief illness before the tournament.
“I’m getting out there. It’s still been a little up and down,” the Bulgarian has said ahead of the tournament. “I came here a little bit earlier to acclimatize to the conditions.
“I’m 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 week’s final in Rotterdam.
“But I’m better, overall better. Pretty much been practicing every single day. That helps me just push through days. Hopefully with each day, I’m going to be better and better.”