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With a smooth and stylish all-court game and a dominant run through his junior career, Grigor Dimitrov was saddled with huge expectations early on. His rise up the rankings was a steady one, but he didn’t reach his first final on the ATP World Tour until he was 21.

Throughout the rest of the year, the Bulgarian recorded some solid results and in the fall, he reached his second career final at the Stockholm Open in Sweden. Seeded seventh at the tournament, Dimitrov posted straight-set wins in his first three matches before being forced to go the distance in the semifinals against Benoit Paire.

Waiting for him in the final was the tournament’s top seed, David Ferrer. The Spaniard, who reached his first career Grand Slam final at the French Open in June, was contesting his seventh championship match of the year.

In the first set, the two players exchanged multiple breaks, but it was the veteran Ferrer who gained the edge, taking it 6-2.

In the second set, Dimitrov turned the tables on the Spaniard by attacking more. The strategy paid off as he was able to win the frame 6-3.

After staying on even ground early in the third, Ferrer had two opportunities to go up 4-2. However, Dimitrov fended them off and in the next game, turned the tables on Ferrer, gaining a break. At 5-4, Dimitrov served for the match and clinched his first career title when Ferrer hit a forehand into the net.

Dimitrov, who had already accomplished a number of firsts among Bulgarian male players, became the first to win a title.

Dimitrov entered Stockholm on a four-match losing streak, which included first-round losses at the US Open and Shanghai.

Ferrer became the first Spaniard in 37 years to reach the championship match, with the last one being Manuel Orantes in the 1976 final.

While this was the second career final for Dimitrov, Ferrer was playing in his 40th. The loss evened his record in title matches to 20-20.

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