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Grigor Dimitrov and Caroline Wozniacki are each well accustomed to the burden of expectation.

For Dimitrov, it’s the flipside to a jaw-dropping natural ability that saw him rise to the world No.1 junior ranking and drew many early comparisons to Roger Federer.

Wozniacki, who became world No.1 in the women’s game at age 20, is also well-versed to the pressure of matching ability with big titles.

MORE: Day 9 schedule of play

But at AO2018, those players can now compete with a certain freedom.


Dimitrov is grateful to still be competing in Melbourne after his five-set test against American qualifier Mackenzie McDonald in the second round, and a set dropped in his following match with Andrey Rublev.

With two match points saved in her second round against Jana Fett, Wozniacki also moves on knowing that every match contested is a bonus.

And such freedom is producing extraordinary tennis.

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Facing the last-standing Australian in a highly-anticipated fourth round against Nick Kyrgios at Rod Laver Arena, Dimitrov showcased all of his breathtaking ability – the artful groundstrokes, stunning footwork and calm under pressure – to withstand 36 aces among 76 winners from the local.



Grigor Dimitrov def. Nick Kyrgios match highlights (4R)
Video 21 Jan 18

“I learned that I can switch to another gear when I really need it,” said Dimitrov after winning just one more point in the 7-6(3) 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(4) progression, which helped atone for his recent loss to Kyrgios in Brisbane.

“The first couple of rounds or even the three first rounds I was not striking the ball well,” he added.

“But today I was just able to overtake my game completely differently, having a high percentage in the first serve, high percentage on the return … counting a little bit more on my strongest weapons.”

Wozniacki, too, is also restored to the level you’d expect of her No.2 seeding. A straight-sets win over Kiki Bertens in the third round added confidence, but it was the 63-minute win over Magdalena Rybarikova, in which she dropped just three games, that made a bigger statement.

MORE: Full women’s draw

“I think being almost out of the tournament, you have nothing to lose after that. You just go out there and you enjoy yourself,” said Wozniacki, who won the last six games of that second-round thriller. “I played really well from being down 5-1. Since then I've just kept that going.”



Caroline Wozniacki def. Magdalena Rybarikova match highlights (4R)
Video 21 Jan 18

And now the challenge comes for each of those players – both former semifinalists at the Australian Open – to keep that form flowing.

Dimitrov faces a first-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist in Kyle Edmund, whom he has defeated on two occasions previously. The most recent victory was in the Brisbane quarterfinals just two weeks ago, but even as the far higher-ranked man – the world No.3 meeting the world No.49 – he understands the Brit has established some powerful momentum.

“For sure I need to be ready. Simple as that. There is no place for underestimation or anything like that,” Dimitrov said of the 23-year-old, who also toyed with a first-round exit in his five-set upset of No.11 seed Kevin Anderson.


“You have just got to go out there and play your tennis. As I said, the only thing I have been focusing since day one out here on the court is really looking after my side of the game and my side of the net.

“And it doesn't matter who I play. I just want to do better. Each match I want to get into a different rhythm … finding that extra gear every match can really help me.”

Wozniacki is also wise to the challenges presented by a lower-ranked quarterfinal opponent in No.39 Carla Suarez Navarro. “We've had a lot of tough encounters on hard courts as well. Three-set gruelling matches,” said the world No.2, who has won five of seven matches contested against the Spaniard. “Obviously, she's back playing really well. I'm expecting a great fight and some really good tennis.”


Like Dimitrov, Wozniacki will hope to build on new career highs established last season.

Both players were winners of their respective year-end tour finales – Wozniacki claiming the biggest of 27 careers at the WTA Finals in Singapore, and Dimitrov triumphing at the same ATP event in London.

Such milestones are of course no protection against ambitious opponents targeting their own breakthroughs. Still, with Dimitrov and Wozniacki staving off the challengers so far in Melbourne, now comes the time for even bigger achievements – perhaps even that first Grand Slam title we’ve long expected.