I thought I'd begin this series with a classic display of fast-paced grass-court mastery: the championship duel between two of the most aesthetically pleasing players of the 2010s, Feliciano López (ESP) and Grigor Dimitrov (BUL).

"I knew it was not easy to break Fel. Especially in moments like that he's been serving so well all week. He's been tremendous all week. It was a great fight."
– Grigor Dimitrov

Highlights

These were the most comprehensive highlights I could find, but the quality is quite abominable. It seems like it's not available on TennisTV (despite me watching it there when it aired), so I'm not sure if there is a rights issue or some other reason it would be unavailable.

YouTube highlights (13s)

Lead up to the match

Dimitrov's 2014 so far:

• Began 2014 ranked World No. 23 at the age of 23.
• At the Australian Open, reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal, falling to Rafael Nadal in four sets.
• Had won two titles so far: Acapulco (Hard Court), Bucharest (Clay Court).
• Entered Queens as the World No. 12 and in prime form.

Lopez's 2014 so far:

• Began 2014 ranked World No. 14 at the age of 32.
• Reached the third round of the Australian Open, losing to Andy Murray.
• No finals or titles in the first half of the year, with some middling results leading to his ranking dropping.
• Entered Queens ranked as the World No. 27.

Path to the final

Dimitrov: Round of 64: Bye. Round of 32: d. James Ward (WC): 7-5, 6-3. Round of 16: d. Edouard Roger-Vasselin: 7-6(3), 6-4. Quarterfinal: d. Alexandr Dolgopolov (8): (W/O). Semifinal: d. Stan Wawrinka (1): 6-2, 6-4.

Lopez: Round of 64: d. Dusan Lajovic: 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-1. Round of 32: d. Lleyton Hewitt: 6-3, 6-4. Round of 16: d. Kenny De Schepper: 7-6(3), 6-7(4), 7-6(3). Quarterfinal: d. Tomas Berdych (2): 6-4, 7-6(7). Semifinal: d. Radek Stepanek (15): 7-6(7), 6-4.

Statistics

Tennis Abstract link

Introduction

It took three sets, all tiebreaks, to decide the ATP Queens Championship in 2014—within the confines of tennis scoring, you can't get any closer than that. On grass, multiple tie-breaks aren't particularly rare—the low, uneven bounce and quick pace of the surface keeps the ball away from the returner's ideal pocket, making holds of serve quite common—around 85% of grass court service games end in a hold. Indeed, for Lopez, it wouldn't be the first match in this tournament that had gone three tiebreaks: he had edged past giant Frenchman Kenny De Schepper in the fourth round 7-6(3), 6-7(4), 7-6(3).

Still, it's a notable scoreline, and shows just how tightly contested the final was. There were only two breaks of serve across two and a half hours of match play, both in the final set, with Lopez stealing an early advantage in the first game, only to hand it back with a double fault at 4-3. Dimitrov won only ten more points than Lopez, much of which can be attributed to the one-sided second set tiebreak (7-1), which narrows the margin to a swing of only 4 points across the rest of the match.

Much of this comes down to the success of both of their offensive games. While neither Lopez nor Dimitrov have the overwhelming serve of a Karlovic or an Isner—who spent 11 hours holding serve at Wimbledon in 2010—they are each highly proficient attacking players who are well suited to grass court success.

The players

Grigor Dimitrov

Dimitrov, nicknamed "Baby Fed" due to the aesthetic similarities between his game and Roger Federer's, played a comparable all-court style, albeit at a slightly lower level of consistency and effectiveness. His naturally aggressive instincts were particularly well suited to grass, a surface that rewards proactive shot-making and early point construction. Dimitrov's Eastern forehand grip allowed him to handle low, skidding balls with greater control, while his fluid attacking instincts enabled him to seize initiative quickly in rallies.

The relative inconsistency of his topspin backhand was also less exposed on grass. Instead, his slice backhand became a major weapon, staying low and forcing opponents into awkward contact points. Combined with his soft hands at the net, this allowed Dimitrov to move forward confidently and capitalise on shorter or floating replies. By 2014, his footwork, balance, and athleticism had matured significantly, helping him remain stable on the slick surface while defending and transitioning from defence to attack with remarkable ease.

His serve was another decisive factor in his grass-court effectiveness. Across the match, nearly one in four of his service points ended with an ace, while his first serve proved almost untouchable, winning over 86 percent of those points. Dimitrov frequently targeted the T with flat pace and exceptional accuracy, limiting López's angles and reaction time while consistently placing himself in commanding positions early in service games.

Feliciano Lopez

Feliciano López took a slightly different, yet equally successful approach to grass court tennis, based around an aggressive spin-heavy left-handed serve-and-volley style. Unlike many Spanish players, whose games were shaped primarily on clay, López possessed a naturally attacking instinct and a willingness to finish points at the net. His left-handed serve was particularly potent on grass, generating sharp angles out wide on the ad court and opening up the court for immediate first-strike tennis. The low bounce of the surface amplified the effectiveness of his deliveries and made his serve a constant source of scoreboard pressure.

His serve game was complemented by his wicked slice backhand, possibly one of the best on tour for much of his career. On grass, the shot stayed exceptionally low and skidded through the court, disrupting opponents' rhythm and allowing López to approach the net behind it. Unlike players who relied on heavy topspin exchanges, López was comfortable shortening rallies, using deft touch volleys and strong positioning to control the forecourt. His forehand, though less flashy, was reliable and well suited to finishing points once he had manoeuvred opponents out of position, or in many cases to spin it down the line and approach the net. The compact swing of his stroke was particularly useful on grass to maintain stroke timing against the speed of the bounce.

"Feliciano Lopez I think is the clearest exponent of grass tennis, with a powerful serve, with plenty of spin. He has some flat slice shots, which are very difficult for the opponent to return and he's also a good volleyer. That's what you need to play here [on grass]."
– Toni Nadal (2023)

Set one

From the opening games, the match settled into a rhythm of relentless service dominance. Dimitrov's first serve landed with startling consistency, and López responded with equally effective variety.

Yet the first set hinted at the psychological complexity that would define the match. López faced early pressure, saving two break points to maintain parity. His ability to escape danger reinforced his confidence, allowing him to serve freely as the set progressed.

When the tie-break arrived, it reflected the set's delicate balance. López ultimately seized it, converting his fourth set point when Dimitrov slipped slightly during a forehand, sending the ball into the net. It was an almost accidental conclusion to a fiercely contested opening chapter—a reminder that grass courts often reward opportunism as much as dominance.

Despite Dimitrov's outstanding serving numbers, López held the scoreboard advantage.

Set two and the momentum shift

While the second tie-break scoreline may suggest a relative lapse, it scarcely reflects the knife-edge nature of the contest. López held Championship point in the second set at 7–6, 5–6, 30–40, only for Dimitrov to erase it with a nerveless ace down the T.

The momentum continued to swing wildly in the deciding set. Dimitrov fell a break behind at 4–2, but López immediately surrendered his advantage with a costly double fault, allowing the Bulgarian to force yet another tie-break.

When Dimitrov finally delivered the decisive blow, he not only secured the fourth title of his career but also achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first player that season to capture titles across three different surfaces.

If the first set belonged to López, the second produced the match's most dramatic swing.

The tension crystallised in the second-set tie-break, where López found himself holding match point. Dimitrov delivered a second serve—the one statistical vulnerability in his armour. It was López's moment to strike. Instead, he snatched at the return and buried it into the net.

Matches at the highest level often pivot on such moments—fractions of a second where composure dissolves and opportunity vanishes.

Dimitrov seized the reprieve. Moments later, he delivered a surge of brilliance in the 12th game, recovering from 15-30 and match point down with a dazzling combination of a raking backhand pass and an exquisite volley. The sequence encapsulated his all-court versatility, reminding observers that while his serve anchored his game, his shotmaking artistry remained equally formidable.

From that point onward, the momentum shifted dramatically.

Once Dimitrov sensed opportunity, he accelerated with remarkable ferocity. He swept through 13 of the next 14 points, dominating the tie-break while dropping only a single point. The statistical profile of this period showed Dimitrov at his most dangerous: increased ace production, heightened return aggression, and near-flawless shot execution.

He carried this momentum into the final set, racing to a 40-0 lead in the opening game. It appeared, briefly, that Dimitrov might finally break through López's serve and run away with the match.

Grass courts, however, rarely allow certainty.

López refused to fade. Allowed a narrow window back into contention, he delivered one of his finest sequences of the match. He produced a thunderous volley to earn break point and threatened to seize control. Considering López had lost only two service games throughout the entire tournament, the moment felt significant.

Yet Dimitrov responded with what the statistics later confirmed as one of his most important stretches of returning. He unleashed a series of searing returns to create his first break opportunity since the opening set. Under mounting pressure, López committed a rare double fault.

Still, the match refused to produce a service break. Instead, it marched inevitably toward a deciding tie-break—the natural conclusion for a contest built entirely on serve dominance.

By the time the third tie-break began, both players had delivered masterclasses in grass-court execution. Break opportunities had been nearly nonexistent. Each service game carried the weight of accumulated tension.

The first extended rally of the tie-break arrived at 4-4—a rare moment where the match paused its rapid tempo and allowed a longer exchange. Dimitrov emerged from it in control, symbolising his slight advantage in baseline consistency throughout the match.

Yet even then, the drama persisted. Dimitrov held match point but squandered it by framing a forehand high into the stands—a moment that momentarily restored López's hope.

The Spaniard's opportunity came and went almost instantly. On the final point, López attempted to dictate with his forehand but instead drove it into the net. Dimitrov collapsed into celebration, Queen's Club champion at last.

Storied ground

For Dimitrov, Queen's Club was never just another tournament. His connection to the venue stretched back to his junior years.

"This tournament in particular has been the tournament I always wanted to win," Dimitrov said afterwards. "I remember playing as a teenager here, and ever since I have dreamt about that moment."

Queen's Club carries a certain mythology in tennis. Positioned just before Wimbledon, it is widely regarded as the most prestigious grass-court event outside the Championships themselves. For players who value tradition and surface mastery, lifting the Queen's Club trophy often signals arrival among the elite grass-court practitioners.

"You can feel it in the spirit of the trophy itself," Dimitrov reflected. "When you lift it, it means something. The only thing I can say is I'm going to be with a lot of positive vibes going to Wimbledon."

Those positive vibes were hard-earned. Because standing across the net was Feliciano López—one of the most naturally gifted grass-court players of his generation.