Video: Dimitrov helps faint ballgirl

Despite losing to Kei Nishikori over the weekend, No. 16-ranked Grigor Dimitrov won more hearts for his aid of an unwell ballgirl struggling with the Florida heat at the Sony Open. "Ah, what a sweetheart," said one TV announcer, at which Maria Sharapova surely would have nodded with due affection and a winsome smirk. Here's the clip:

This occurred in the midst of a heat advisory, the same one that saw Venus Williams take the allowed 10-minute break after the first two sets of her victory over Casey Dellacqua. She would later tell Rennae Stubbs she did so to change her attire completely, as sweat dripped from her onto her racquet handle. (As that goes, David Ferrer's pink Miami Vice homage of a shirt by night practically looked painted on him, so profusely does he exert and sweat, as does Venus.)

Back to the man at hand: Even as he went down in straight sets to a similarly aged, similarly skilled foe in Nishikori, Dimitrov earned a victory in the eyes of many observers of the sport, whether they were present in the moment or just reading about it here and now.

YouTube credit: Alexander Cossenzea

Got a thought, a tip, or a point to make? Find me on Twitter at @jonscott9.