Rotterdam 2023: Daniil Medvedev vs Grigor Dimitrov preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick | ABN AMRO Open
Match details
Fixture: (6) Daniil Medvedev vs Grigor Dimitrov
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023
Tournament: ABN AMRO Open 2023
Round: Semifinals
Venue: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Indoor hardcourt
Match timing: Not before 3:00 pm local time, 2:00 pm GMT, 9:00 am EST, 7:30 pm IST.
Prize money: €2,074,505.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video.
Daniil Medvedev vs Grigor Dimitrov preview
Sixth seed Daniil Medvedev will square off against former ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov on Saturday for a place in the final of the ABN AMRO Open 2023.
Medvedev made a good start to the year, reaching the semifinals of the Adelaide International 1 before bowing out to Novak Djokovic. His Australian Open campaign, however, came to a screeching halt in the third round as he was sent packing by rising star Sebastian Korda.
The former US Open champion has wasted no time in getting back in the thick of action. Medvedev has simply got better and better with every match this week on the indoor hardcourts of Rotterdam.
Following a three-set victory over Alejandro Davidoch Fokina, the Russian has now bagged easy straight-sets wins over Botic van de Zandschulp and defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Three-time Grand Slam semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov's most recent notable performance came in Vienna last October, where he was stopped by none other than Medvedev in the semifinals. Since then, the Bulgarian has won a total of five matches in three tournaments prior to arriving in Rotterdam this week.
Two of those came at the Australian Open earlier this year, where he was ousted in the third round by eventual champion Djokovic. The World No. 28 has, however, turned things around in fine fashion at the ongoing ABN AMRO Open.
This is a tournament where the 31-year-old finished as the runner-up to Roger Federer in 2018. He has been showing flashes of that sizzling run all week with wins over Aslan Karatsev, fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz and Alex de Minaur. While the first two came in straight sets, Dimitrov had to work hard before edging the Australian 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(6) in a grueling quarterfinal after saving two match points.
Daniil Medvedev vs Grigor Dimitrov head-to-head
Medvedev has a 4-2 lead over Dimitrov in their head-to-head. Their most recent meeting, which also happens to be their only indoor hardcourt clash, ended 6-4, 6-2 in Medvedev's favor in Vienna last year.
Daniil Medvedev vs Grigor Dimitrov odds
(Odds sourced from oddschecker.com)
Daniil Medvedev vs Grigor Dimitrov prediction
With Medvedev having started to look ominous once again, suffice to say Dimitrov has an uphill task on his hands on Saturday.
Medvedev played his best match of the week in the quarterfinals, dismantling Auger-Aliassime 6-2, 6-4, with ruthless accuracy from the baseline. The Russian was very sharp, leaking just five unforced errors in the entire contest.
He dropped serve only once while breaking the Canadian's serve four times. The former World No. 1 will be highly upbeat after such a strong display and will be determined to reach the final in Rotterdam for the first time.
Dimitrov needs to turn up at his very best to challenge this version of Medvedev. The Bulgarian showed superb composure under pressure while facing match points, but it took him two hours and 33 minutes to subdue the spirited Alex de Minaur.
There's every chance that the 31-year-old might not have enough left in the tank when he takes on the Russian. Given his attacking style, Dimitrov does have the firepower to make a match out of this, but it remains to be seen how long he can sustain a high level against an irrepressible Medvedev.
Pick: Daniil Medvedev to win in straight sets.