Dimitrov's stunning ending to a stellar 2017 season

Fans have long waited for 26-year-old Grigor Dimitrov to battle for the biggest titles in the sport. In 2017, he blew past his old career-high of No. 8 to No. 3 in the world rankings. Finally it seems that the Bulgarian has arrived as a major contender after capping off a furious finish to his best career season by far.

In January, Dimitrov won his first of four titles in Brisbane with strong wins over Dominic Thiem, Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori.

He continued to play great tennis at the Australian Open—eventually lost a thrilling semifinal to Rafael Nadal (in arguably the best match of the year).

Then Dimitrov delighted his native country in early February by winning Sofia.

“Without you (the Bulgarian fans), I could never win this tournament,” Dimitrov said afterward. “This title means a lot to me. Today, after the last point, I felt again like a kid playing in front of a home crowd.”

Just when it seemed Dimitrov could threaten for ATP Masters 1000 titles, he slumped in the March U.S. and clay-court seasons. He was hardly a factor at Wimbledon where he suffered a straight sets defeat in the fourth round to Roger Federer.

But Dimitrov flipped on the switch in August when he won Cincinnati with superlative shots, sensational defense and the grit that he had been searching for to become a big winner.

His win over Nick Kyrgios in the final marked Dimitrov's first career ATP Masters 1000 crown.

Dimitrov maintained his good form during the Asian swing, reached the semifinals in Beijing and the final in Stockholm, qualifying for London’s ATP Finals for the first time in his career. Few observers gave him much chance with favorites Federer and Nadal standing in the way, along with formidable threats Alexander Zverev and veteran Marin Cilic.

But the Bulgarian never wavered. He won all three of his round-robin matches before rallying past semifinalist Jack Sock and holding off David Goffin for the second time.

Dimitrov won the most important non-Slam ATP event against his strongest peers. The confetti rained down as he held aloft his large trophy, but it looks to be merely the beginning of what could be a more impressive 2018.