Kazakhstani tennis player Timofey Skakov lost to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in the second round of US Open-2026 qualifying with a score of 6:7 (5:7), 4:6. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

The 35-year-old Dimitrov was once the number one among tennis playboys. Gossip about the stormy romances of the native of Haskovo with Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, as well as other tennis players (and not only), significantly outpaced the Bulgarian's tennis fame.

However, Dimitrov was also good on the court. The three-time Grand Slam semifinalist (Wimbledon-2014, AO-2017, US Open-2019) was the world's third racket in November 2017. Now Grigor is 137th in the rankings. And he starts the American major from qualifying. However, his excellent serve and powerful, smart play on the baseline are still with him. The Italian Lorenzo Giustino (101) had the opportunity to see this – 0:6, 3:6, and then our tennis player.

Timofey Skakov (205) started qualifying with a victory over Belgian Gilles-Arnaud Bailly (240) – 6:4, 6:2. In the only match with Dimitrov, at Roland Garros-2023, the native of Petropavlovsk lost 0:6, 3:6, 2:6. The "bagel" received in Paris called for revenge.

Up to the score of 5:5 in the first set tie-break, there was absolutely equal fight on the court. At this important moment, Skakov missed a shot, and Dimitrov used the first set point – 7:6.

The key in the second set was the Bulgarian's break in the third game. No matter how hard the Kazakhstani tried, he could not make a return break. During the whole match, Timofey never took a single serve of the opponent. 6:7 (5:7), 4:6 – exactly in two hours. Aces – 4:17, double faults – 4:3, total points won – 70:80.

Skakov's third attempt to break into the main draw of Grand Slam tournaments in 2026 also turned out to be unsuccessful.

The US Open Tennis Championships is an annual Grand Slam tournament on hard courts. It is the last of the four majors in the calendar year.

For the second year in a row, the US Open, first held in August 1881, starts a week earlier due to the rescheduled mixed doubles tournament. The total prize fund of $108 million is a record for majors.

Since 1978, matches have been held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in New York.

The current champions are Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.