Grigor was fortunate to scrape through his second round clash with lowly ranked Mackenzie McDonald while Rublev has handled David Ferrer and Marcos Baghdatis.
In their sole meeting, Rublev defeated Dimitrov in the 2017 US Open.
In the opening service game, 3 unforced Bulgarian errors equaled the number of break points. Two were saved, one with an ace. But the third was not and Rublev led 1-0.
Rublev continued to start well and held for 2-0.
Dimitrov put a score on the board, sealing with an ace. Then four unforced errors cost Rublev his serve and Dimitrov was thankful.
Down two break points himself, Grigor survived for 3-2.
Rublev served a love game and levelled at 3-3.
Dimitrov held serve and then created three break points on the Rublev serve and would have the chance to serve this out.
A double fault and 0-15. An ace and 15-15. 30-30 and tricky for Dimitrov. Set point reached though.
It went to Dimitrov 6-3.
Elise Mertens defeated Alize Cornet 7-5 6-4.
Kyle Edmund defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili 7-6(7) 3-6 4-6 6-0 7-5.
Both players started with comfortable service game holds in set two.
Two break points on the Rublev serve were saved but not a third and Dimitrov led 2-1.
A backhand winner from Grigor for 40-0 and then a love game - 3-1.
A couple of service holds and 4-2 Dimitrov.
A double fault and 30-30 but Rublev held ok for 3-4.
Pablo Carreno Busta (10) defeated Gilles Muller (23) 7-6(4) 4-6 7-5 7-5.
A Dimitrov forehand winner saved a break point, but a double fault donated another chance to Rublev. A winning forehand saved that and a game point was saved by Rublev.
Deuce arrived again. Break point number three successfully converted and games level at 4-4, with three successive errors from the Bulgarian racquet.
Rublev felt 100% better than he did just a short time earlier.
Having held serve, Rublev had Dimitrov down 0-30.
It came to deuce. Then set point for Rublev.
Errors from Dimitrov and sets were even for the Russian 3-6 6-4.
In set three Rublev saved three break points in the third game and it eventually was 2-1.
Rublev, having saved all those break points, broke Dimitrov in the sixth game to lead 4-2.
Dimitrov returned the favour and it was 4-3.
Another hold and serve and Dimitrov served for the set at 5-4.
Three deuces but Grigor worked through those and won the set 6-4.
In the opening game of set four, Rublev saved a break point and games were 1-1 when Dimitrov held serve afterwards.
Two Russian winners brought up 30-30 but a netted ground stroke presented a break point to Grigor - saved with an overhead winner.
A game point was converted and Rublev led 2-1.
Dimitrov had no difficulty evening things at 2-2.
Three double faults from Rublev in the fifth game gave a break chance to Dimitrov but it was saved. The game was won by the Russian and he kept the lead 3-2.
Two break points for Rublev and the first saved. Plus the second.
A double fault brought up a third break chance. Saved with a forehand volley combo. Ace followed for game point. Ultimately game to the Bulgarian - 3-3.
Dimitrov broke in the seventh game and led at the right time 4-3.
He consolidated for 5-3.
Rublev held to love and Dimitrov served for the match at 5-4.
Break back point due to forced error - saved.
A second break chance - saved.
Match point - Dimitrov the victor
6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4
Next for Dimitrov is the winner of Tsonga (15) v Kyrgios (17)
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