Former champ Dimitrov makes rapid start at Queen's Club, Rune falls

Grigor Dimitrov earned a statement win on Monday at the cinch Championships, where he dispatched World No. 21 Adrian Mannarino 6-1, 6-2 in just 63 minutes at the grass-court ATP 500.

"I was very happy with the way I started the match. I think I set the bar high and wanted to be steady the whole time," Dimitrov said. "Serve and return I just tried to focus on, they are the fundamentals of this surface. As the match went on I felt more solid and more secure, so I am very happy."

Mannarino has won two tour-level titles on grass and has reached the fourth round at Wimbledon twice. The Frenchman was unable to cope with Dimitrov’s high level in London, though, with the No. 10 player in the PIF ATP Rankings striking 28 winners and committing five unforced errors, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Dimitrov has fond memories at The Queen’s Club, having won the title in 2014. The third seed will next meet Sebastian Korda or Karen Khachanov.

Jordan Thompson overcame Dane Holger Rune 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 to earn the third Top 20 grass-court win of his career.

The Australian battled hard throughout his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Rune to triumph after two hours and six minutes. Thompson won 69 per cent (20/29) of his second-serve points and struck 27 winners to advance.

Thompson will next play record five-time champion Andy Murray or Australian qualifier Alexei Popyrin. Thompson ended a five-match losing streak with his win against Rune.

Former World No. 3 Milos Raonic set the record for most aces in a best-of-three-set ATP Tour match, hitting 47 aces in a 6-7(6), 6-3, 7-6(9) victory against home favourite Cameron Norrie.

The Canadian saved two match points and relied on his serve to battle past the lefty without losing a service game.

“I’m glad that behind that also stands a win because maybe I'd feel differently or maybe a bit more sour if I was to get that many free points and lose the match. So overall, a very positive thing and a fun stat to be proud of.”

Rinky Hijikata advanced after Frances Tiafoe was forced to retire in the third set due to a right hip injury. Hijikata led the American 7-5, 4-6, 1-0. The Australian qualifier will meet Ugo Humbert or Matteo Arnaldi in the second round.

Alejandro Tabilo leads Alejando Davidovich Fokina 7-6(6), 3-6, 2-0, but will need to return Tuesday to complete the match.