Rotterdam Open: Medvedev advances to first final of the year

Daniil Medvedev defeated Grigor Dimitrov 6-1, 6-2 on Saturday and will face the winner of the match between Italian Jannik Sinner and Dutch wildcard Tallon Griekspoor in the final

Tennis – ATP 500 – Rotterdam Open – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands – February 18, 2023 Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in action during his semi final against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)

Tennis Majors

February 18, 2023

ABN Amro Open •Semi-final • completed

See draw

D. MedvedevvsG. Dimitrov

Russian Daniil Medvedev, the No 6 seed, beat Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-1, 6-2 to move into the final of the Rotterdam Open at the Rotterdam Ahoy on Saturday.

Medvedev, ranked No 11, will play the winner of the match between Italian Jannik Sinner and Dutch wildcard Tallon Griekspoor next.

Medvedev is now also set to secure his spot back in the top 10 of the world rankings next week, having dropped out following the Australian Open.

Medvedev’s confirmation

The day marked five years since Dimitrov played in his last ATP Tour final – at this venue, when he lost to Roger Federer. Now, the 31-year-old is on an 11-match losing streak in tour-level semi-finals.

Medvedev already held the edge in their tour-level meetings, and now extends it to 5-2, but he also enjoyed a comprehensive victory against the same opponent in practice last week – replicating that extent of ease to reach the Rotterdam final.

Ahead of his victory, the Russian won against Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (4-6, 6-2, 6-2), Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (6-2, 6-2) and Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, the No 3 seed (6-2, 6-4).

Dimitrov, ranked No 28, won against Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev (6-1, 6-3), Pole Hubert Hurkacz, the No 5 seed (7-6 (4), 7-6 (5)) and Australian Alex De Minaur (6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (6)) in the previous rounds of the Rotterdam tournament.