Grigor Dimitrov takes huge step forward with first Masters title

Grigor Dimitrov won an ATP Masters tournament for the first time as he took the title at Cincinnati, and now the world No. 9 thinks he has an opportunity to win the U.S. Open.

"In the big picture, it means a lot to me," Dimitrov said. "I'm pretty confident after that win. This is what I've been practicing for. It's my biggest win so far. I'm going to enjoy it for a day or two, but then it's back to the routine and prepare for the U.S. Open."

The 26-year-old Dimitrov has reached two Grand Slam semis, at 2014 Wimbledon and this year's Australian Open, but he has yet to win a major. Dimitrov almost reached the final of the Australian Open, playing a classic five-setter against now No.1 Rafael Nadal. He won the title in Brisbane and later took his home event in Sofia, but then began to slump.

In Cincinnati, on the hard courts, he took down Feliciano Lopez, Juan Martin del Potro, John Isner and Nick Kyrgios. The Bulgarian admitted he was nervous at times in the final, but stayed consistent from the baseline.

"In moments like that, it's so difficult," Dimitrov said. "There's so many things going through your head. There was a lot more on the line for me. So yeah, the weight was a bit more."

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