Tallon Griekspoor is the only unseeded player remaining in Rotterdam and he will go up against top seed Jannik Sinner on Saturday. Alex de Minaur and Grigor Dimitrov are also hoping to secure a spot in the championship match.
(6) Grigor Dimitrov vs. (5) Alex de Minaur
De Minaur and Dimitrov will be facing each other for a second straight year on De Minaur’s birthday when they meet again in the ABN AMRO Open semifinals on Saturday. Last season’s February 17 showdown came in the Rotterdam quarters, with Dimitrov winning 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(6) from two match points down. The overall head-to-head series is all tied up at 2-2, including 1-1 on indoor hard courts.
With nothing to separate them in terms of past history and with both players in outstanding form at the moment, another competitive contest is likely in the cards. Combine their current quality with the fun stylistic matchup–they are two of the best athletes on tour and both incredible defenders–and this could be the best match of the tournament. De Minaur earned his place in the last eight with wins over Sebastian Korda, David Goffin, and Andrey Rublev, dropping just one set to Rublev in the process. Dimitrov has also lost only one set while ousting Lorenzo Sonego, Marton Fucsovics, and Alexander Shevchenko. The 13th-ranked Bulgarian is aiming for his second final in as many weeks (Marseille) and is ultimately bidding for already his second title of 2024 (Brisbane). Dimitrov is on an absolute roll and there may be slightly more pressure on De Minaur in his effort to get some Rotterdam revenge.
Pick: Dimitrov in 3
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(1) Jannik Sinner vs. Tallon Griekspoor
Sinner won the Australian Open last month and his 2024 record is still perfect (10-0) following Rotterdam wins over Botic van de Zandschulp, Gael Monfils, and Milos Raonic. Although the Italian dropped a set to Monfils and went to a tiebreaker with Raonic before the Canadian retired, he continues to play dominant tennis. Sinner is hoping to continue his hot streak and go one step farther than he went last season in Rotterdam (lost to Medvedev in the final).
Up next for the 22-year-old on Saturday is a rematch of the 2023 Rotterdam semis, in which Sinner defeated Griekspoor 7-5, 7-6(5). The world No. 4 extended his head-to-head record to 2-0–where it stands now–with a 7-6(3), 6-1 victory over the Dutchman on an indoor hard court at the Davis Cup Finals this past fall. Still, Griekspoor cannout be discounted–especially not at home. The world No. 30 is an amazing 14-1 on home soil dating back to the start of 2023 and so far this week has knocked off Lorenzo Musetti, Hubert Hurkacz, and Emil Ruusuvuori. All three of Griekspoor’s Rotterdam matches have been decided by extremely small margins. Unless he raises his level considerably against the current best player on tour, the underdog’s latest impressive run in front of the home crowd will likely come to an end.
Pick: Sinner in 2
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WWW?
Idk
Two great matches….Sinner in 3; Demon in 3.