Daniil Medvedev outclassed Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets on Saturday to set-up a Rotterdam Open final showdown against in-form Jannik Sinner and ensure a return to the world’s top 10.
Russian player Medvedev, seeded sixth, won 6-1, 6-2 in just 82 minutes, converting six of 13 break points to reach his first final since claiming the title in Vienna last October.
“It was an amazing match. The score looks easy, but the match was not. I felt physically like I was playing five sets,” said former world No 1 Medvedev.
In his 28th career final on Sunday, he will face Italy’s 14th-ranked Sinner who defeated Dutch wild card Tallon Griekspoor 7-5, 7-6 (5).
“It would be amazing to win here,” said Medvedev, a 15-time champion on the tour.
“Every time I come here, everywhere there are photos of the winners and their names.
“I don’t remember who won it first time, but then Arthur Ashe won it, then others like McEnroe, Borg, Edberg, and I’m like ‘Well, that tournament has a history for sure’. To add my name there would be amazing.”
Sinner, who lifted the title in Montpellier last weekend, didn’t face a break point in his victory against world No 61 Griekspoor.
It was a seventh win in a row for Sinner but he has yet to defeat Medvedev in four previous meetings.