ATP Tour

Ivanov joins Dimitrov in history books, wins Wimbledon boys' singles title

Sixteen-year-old Bulgarian Ivan Ivanov joined countryman Grigor Dimitrov in the history books on Sunday by winning the Wimbledon boys’ singles title.

The teen defeated American Ronit Karki 6-2, 6-3 to claim the trophy. The sixth seed did not lose a set en route to the trophy and earned revenge in the semi-finals against Max Schoenhaus, who eliminated him in the last four at Roland Garros.

"The last champion was Grigor in 2008," Ivanov said. "So for me [it] was a privilege to play [the] final, that's for sure. And to be a great battle today was something very nice, too."

Ivanov and Dimitrov are the only two Bulgarian boys to win a Grand Slam junior singles championship. Before Ivanov, no Bulgarian boy had made a major junior singles final since Dimitrov at the 2008 US Open. The 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion won the 2008 Wimbledon and US Open boys’ singles titles.

The championship clash Sunday was under Ivanov’s control from early in the encounter. The 16-year-old did not face a break point, while he earned three service breaks in his 57-minute victory.

"Of course, I had to go to sleep one hour before my bedtime just so I can focus. I couldn't sleep at my bedtime. So one hour and a half I was just rotating in my bed and not able to sleep," Ivanov said. "But today when I went in the court, I was enjoying. The pressure was out. I was very happy."

Ivanov is the highest-ranked player younger than 17 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. He is currently World No. 798 with fellow 16-year-old Cruz Hewitt, the son of Lleyton Hewitt, ranked No. 827.