Grigor Dimitrov beat 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer in an exhibition match at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday in a confidence-building victory for the younger player . Dimitrov won 6-2 , 1-6 , 7-5 , rallying from a break down in the final set . The 23-year-old Bulgarian is 0-3 in official matches against Federer , who is ten years older at 33 . Grigor Dimitrov ( right ) and Roger Federer pose for a photo together after their match on Tuesday night . Dimitrov comes forward to pick up the short ball before going on to beat Federer in the exhibition match . Federer plays a forehand during the match held to celebrate World Tennis Day . A general view of Madison Square Garden which hosted the exhibition match on Tuesday night . Dimitrov broke Federer 's serve in the final game to clinch the match , held as part of the World Tennis Day celebrations . Federer said : ' I think he played very well . He did really well to turn the match around , honestly . So credit to him . It 's a lot of pressure - first time at the Garden . ' Earlier , Gabriela Sabatini , 44 , beat Monica Seles , 41 , in a pro set 8-5 . Both have rarely played since retiring , but they decided it was worth training to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their classic five-set 1990 WTA Finals match at the Garden , won by Seles . Gabriela Sabatini ( left ) poses for a selfie with Monica Seles during the BNP Paribas Showdown . Sabatini plays a forehand on her way to an 8-5 victory against American Seles . Seles plays a return during the exhibition match with Sabatini in New York .
Grigor Dimitrov beat Roger Federer 6-2 , 1-6 , 7-5 in New York on Tuesday . The exhibition was held at Madison Square Garden for World Tennis Day . Gabriela Sabatini beat Monica Seles in a pro-set 8-5 .