- De Minaur has achieved a place in the final of the Rotterdam Open
- The Australian star defeated Bulgarian Dimitrov 6-4, 6-3.
- Now he has prepared a showdown with world No. 4 Jannik Sinner
Alex de Minaur has earned the perfect gift for his 25th birthday, booking a place in the Rotterdam Open final with a resounding revenge over Grigor Dimitrov.
At the same event on De Minaur’s birthday in 2023, Bulgaria’s Dimitrov proved to be a real spoiler by eliminating the Australian No. 1 in the quarterfinals.
But ‘Demon’ emphatically avenged that narrow defeat at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Stadium in Saturday’s (Sunday AEDT) semi-final with a 6-4 6-3 victory that will see him face the Australian Open champion in the final. , Jannik Sinner.
Returning to tournament action for the first time since his triumph at Melbourne Park, top seed and world number 4 Sinner defeated local favorite Tallon Griekspoor 6-2 6-4 in the final semi-final.
De Minaur’s victory has ensured that he will rise to No. 9 in the world rankings next week from his current position of No. 11.
Alex de Minaur advanced to the final of the Rotterdam Open with a victory over Dimitrov
De Minaur will face Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner in the final
He had already avenged his painful defeat in the round of 16 at the Australian Open by defeating Andrey Rublev 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-3 in the quarterfinals on Friday.
“I’m very happy with the level throughout the match,” said a delighted De Minaur after beating Dimitrov.
“It was probably one of the best matches I’ve ever played from start to finish. Even saying that, I always know that Grigor is going to raise his level and compete until the end, and I had to fight through some pretty tough break points when I my best tennis happened.
The Australian star took to social media after the match to thank fans for their birthday wishes. She also shared a video of himself enjoying his girlfriend Katie Boulter’s cake.
De Minaur missed 14 winners and committed just four unforced errors in his impressive 84-minute march.
‘From the first moment here in Rotterdam, I have felt a very calm presence. “I have felt positive, I have been calm and collected during all the matches, and I think that has been a big key for me,” added de Minaur, who is also competing in his first tournament since the Australian Open.
The Sydney player attributes his improved form to a stronger mentality that is starting to toughen him up in matches against top players, a tungsten streak also had by the last Australian to win in Rotterdam 20 years ago, Lleyton Hewitt.
It’s no coincidence that De Minaur has been working so closely of late with his Davis Cup captain Hewitt, explaining after Dimitrov’s victory: “This is my standard now, this is what I have to bring to the table every time I walk.” Court.
The Australian celebrated his birthday after the game with his girlfriend Katie Boulter
“I think I took a big step in the right direction, showing the type of tennis I can play, week in and week out. I think I’ve raised the bar a little bit and I hope there’s still a lot to do.”
But Sinner is the litmus test for him. If any player could give the Australian an inferiority complex, it is his 22-year-old Italian foe, who has won all six of his matches and lost just one set since they first dueled at the ATP NextGen Finals in 2019.