Grigor Dimitrov is eyeing the trophy, and nothing less, after underlining his title intentions with a near-flawless win over David Goffin at the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
The Bulgarian booked his place in the semi-finals on debut at the season-ending showpiece with a 6-0 6-2 rout, having opened the tournament with a three-set win over Dominic Thiem.
Dimitrov's masterclass came less than 48 hours after Goffin upstaged world No.1 Rafael Nadal in the biggest win of the Belgian's career.
"You get a few days in the year when everything you touch turns into gold. I had one of those today," Dimitrov said.
"But I work for those days. It's very nice when they come on such an occasion.
"It's just a special win for me."
At one point, after taking the first nine games, the Australian Open semi-finalist threatened to record only the second 6-0 6-0 victory in the event's 47-year history.
Goffin, though, rallied to avoid taking an unwanted place in the history books alongside Gaston Gaudio, Argentina's former French Open champion who suffered the ignominy against Roger Federer in the 2005 semi-finals in Shanghai.
While he fell short of emulating Federer's feat, Dimitrov nevertheless joined the great Swiss into the final four with his commanding victory.
"That was my goal. another step ahead," he said.
"I'm not here just to participate."
Despite his heavy defeat, Goffin remains in control of his semi-finals destiny after Thiem beat Pablo Carrena Busta 6-3 3-6 6-4 on Wednesday night.
Goffin and Thiem now have one win apiece in their four-man group and will play off for a final-berth on Friday night.
German world No.3 Alexander Zverev and American Jack Sock, the tournament's last and eighth qualifier, clash for a semi-final spot on Thursday night.
