Rotterdam 2023 Day 6: Men's singles predictions ft. Daniil Medvedev vs Grigor Dimitrov, Jannik Sinner vs Tallon Griekspoor | ABN AMRO Open
The sixth day of the main-draw action at the 2023 ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam on Saturday (February 18) will feature both semifinals.
On Friday, the four quarterfinals were played at the ATP 500 event. In the first last-eight clash, Grigor Dimitrov recovered from being a break down in the decider to outlast Alex de Minaur in a tiebreak.
The second quarterfinal saw former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev extend his perfect record against Felix Auger-Aliassime to five matches. He knocked out the defending champion in straight sets.
In the third last-eight clash, 2015 winner Stan Wawrinka bit the dust against reigning Montpellier champion Jannik Sinner for the loss of just four games. Meanwhile, in an all-Dutch last quarterfinal, Tallon Griekspoor beat Gijs Brouwer to complete the last-four lineup.
On that note, here's a look at how the two semifinals in Rotterdam could pan out on Saturday:
#1 Daniil Medvedev vs Grigor Dimitrov (2018 Rotterdam runner-up)
Sixth seed Daniil Medvedev will take on Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov in the first semifinal at Rotterdam on Saturday.
World No. 11 Medvedev improved to 8-2 on the season with a trio of wins this week, including the last one against defending champion Auger-Aliassime. The 27-year-old was understandably ecstatic with his win, proclaiming his performance to be his best of the week.
Rising to the challenge 📈
@DaniilMedwed knocks out defending champion Auger-Aliassime to reach the final four in Rotterdam.
@abnamroopen | #abnamroopen https://t.co/3I6CrAUAuv
Meanwhile, the 28th-ranked Dimitrov had a sterner outing against De Minaur, saving two match points to triumph in a third-set tiebreak. The Bulgarian, 6-2 on the year, is now a win away from returning to his first Rotterdam final in five years.
Medvedev has a 4-2 head-to-head lead over Dimitrov and should have enough firepower to overcome the Bulgarian.
Prediction: Medvedev in three sets
#2 Jannik Sinner vs Tallon Griekspoor
Jannik Sinner will take on Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor on Saturday for a place in the Rotterdam final.
The 14th-ranked Sinner is riding a purple match, beating 2015 winner Stan Wawrinka to extend his winning run to six straight matches. A day after ousting top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 21-year-old gunned down Wawrinka in an emphatic performance to improve to 11-2 on the season.
Just. Too. Good. 😌
Jannik Sinner ensures the #abnamroopen will crown a new champion this year, as he eliminates the last remaining former winner Stan Wawrinka: 6-1 6-3.
What a performance. 🤜 https://t.co/uVvOxi60FO
Meanwhile, World No. 61 Griekspoor is now an impressive 10-1 on the season after beating his compatriot Gijs Brouwer in straight sets in the fourth quarterfinal. The reigning Pune champion's only loss of the year came in the Australian Open third round last month.
This will be Sinner's first meeting with Griekspoor, but expect the in-form Italian to take this one.
Prediction; Sinner in straight sets