Competing for the first time since July 7, Grigor Dimitrov passed the first obstacle at the Paris Masters. The Bulgarian injured his right shoulder while leading two sets to love against Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon fourth round.
He underwent surgery and missed nearly four months. The veteran recovered and decided to test his body in the closing stages of the season before starting his 2026 preparations.
Dimitrov bested Mpetshi Perricard 7-6, 6-1 in an hour and 35 minutes for a winning return. The Bulgarian clinched a tight opener before providing three breaks in set number two to emerge at the top.
The more experienced player landed 26 winners and 21 unforced errors. He hit ten service winners fewer than his rival but erased that deficit at the net. Giovanni survived two break points and numerous deuces in his opening two service games.
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The Frenchman made a push on the return at 2-2 and created two break points. Dimitrov denied the with service winners and remained on the positive side. They served well in the remaining games and introduced a tie break.
Grigor passed his rival at the net in the second point for a mini-break. The veteran moved 5-2 up with a winner at the net before dropping two points on serve, bringing his rival to the positive side.
However, the former finalist fired a forehand winner in the tenth point for 6-4 and converted the second set point with an unreturned serve, wrapping up the first part of the duel in 67 minutes.
Mpetshi Perricard missed a forehand in the first game of the second set and lost serve. The Bulgarian clinched another break in the third game with a crafty slice and denied a break point in the next one.
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Returning at 5-1, Dimitrov clinched a break at love to seal the deal and book a place in the second round.
