Grigor Dimitrov makes impressive comeback at Paris Masters after injury lay-off

Dimitrov had not played since July 7, when he was forced to retire in his fourth round Wimbledon match against Jannik Sinner after suffering a tear in his pectoral muscle.

He had been leading 6-3, 7-5, 2-2 against Sinner, the eventual Wimbledon champion.

Against Mpetshi Perricard in Paris, Dimitrov converted his second set point to take a very tight opening set on a tiebreak after both players had saved two break points.

The 34-year-old then, remarkably, broke the massive-serving 22-year-old Frenchman three times in the second set as he surged to the finish line in dominant fashion.

Dimitrov spoke to commentator Lee Goodall in an on-court interview after his victory, saying: "I think I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole time away from the court. It was never, never easy.

"I knew that coming to competition is just gonna be a difficult task. I think, winning or losing tonight, I still would have felt like I've given all I have.

"Of course, it's very difficult to adjust, especially playing against a player like him, you have to be aware throughout the whole time and stay focused."

Dimitrov will play either world No 13 Daniil Medvedev or 36th-ranked Jaume Munar in what promises to be an intriguing second round encounter.

READ MORE: Time away from the game did me good, says Grigor Dimitrov