NEW YORK: Grigor Dimitrov is once again fighting his way through the US Open qualifying maze — something the Bulgarian had not experienced at Flushing Meadows for 17 years.
The former World No. 3 has made an impressive start to his 2026 qualifying campaign, winning his opening two matches in straight sets and moving within one victory of returning to the US Open main draw.
Dimitrov, now 35, last appeared in US Open qualifying in 2009, when he was an 18-year-old rising prospect. Since then, he established himself among the world’s elite and became a regular main-draw player in New York. His return to qualifying this year is therefore a striking chapter in a career that has already included a Top-3 ranking, an ATP Finals title and nine tour-level singles titles.
Fast start against Giustino
Dimitrov opened his campaign against Italy’s Lorenzo Giustino, ranked No. 195, and produced one of his most dominant performances of the season.
He won 6-0, 6-3, taking control immediately and racing through the first eight games of the contest. The Bulgarian converted all five of his break-point opportunities while also saving both break points he faced.
The match lasted just 67 minutes, underlining how efficiently Dimitrov handled the occasion.
Score: Grigor Dimitrov bt Lorenzo Giustino 6-0, 6-3.
Skatov provides a sterner test
The second round was considerably more competitive.
Dimitrov faced Kazakhstan’s Timofey Skatov, ranked No. 205, and had to negotiate several tight moments before securing a 7-6(5), 6-4 victory.
Unlike his opening match, Dimitrov could not simply overwhelm his opponent. Instead, experience and composure proved decisive as he edged the opening-set tie-break before finishing the contest in straight sets.
Score: Grigor Dimitrov bt Timofey Skatov 7-6(5), 6-4.
One win from the main draw
Dimitrov’s reward is a place in the final qualifying round, where he faces Finland’s Otto Virtanen.
Virtanen, ranked around the world’s Top 110, arrives with momentum of his own. He defeated Hugo Blanchet in the opening round before producing a comeback victory over Britain’s Jack Pinnington Jones, winning 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-3.
The winner of Dimitrov versus Virtanen will secure a place in the US Open men’s singles main draw.
From teenage qualifier to Grand Slam contender
The significance of Dimitrov’s campaign goes beyond the immediate results.
When he entered US Open qualifying in 2009, Dimitrov was still an emerging teenager. The Bulgarian has since reached a career-high No. 3 ranking, won the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals, and built an impressive record at the US Open.
His best run in New York came in 2019, when he reached the semi-finals and defeated five-time champion Roger Federer in the quarter-finals. He also reached the quarter-finals in 2024.
Dimitrov missed the 2025 US Open after suffering a pectoral injury at Wimbledon, making this year’s return particularly important.
Dimitrov’s US Open qualifying campaign so far
Round 1: Defeated Lorenzo Giustino — 6-0, 6-3
Round 2: Defeated Timofey Skatov — 7-6(5), 6-4
Final round: vs Otto Virtanen
Main-draw target: 15th US Open appearance
Best US Open result: Semi-final, 2019
Other notable result: Quarter-final, 2024
Last US Open qualifying appearance before 2026: 2009
The bigger picture
Dimitrov’s qualifying journey is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in professional tennis. Seventeen years after first navigating the US Open qualifying draw, the Bulgarian is back — this time as a veteran with a decorated career behind him and a place in the main draw still to earn.
Two victories have put him within touching distance. One more against Virtanen would complete an unusual full-circle moment for one of the most accomplished players in the qualifying field.
Source note: The match results and tournament background have been independently cross-checked against ATP Tour and US Open records.
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