It’s been a thrilling week of tennis so far at the ATP Rotterdam Open. The entertaining action should continue on semifinals day in the Netherlands and, as always, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for both semifinals. But who will book their place in Sunday’s final?
ATP Rotterdam Semifinal Predictions
Jannik Sinner vs Tallon Griekspoor
Head-to-head: first meeting
After winning the title in Montpellier, Jannik Sinner has not slowed down one bit. In the last two rounds. he’s dismantled Stefanos Tsitsipas (who he’d only beaten once) and Stan Wawrinka. The young Italian is simply playing irresistible tennis of late, and he looks the man to beat this week once again. His ball-striking remains exceptional, he’s serving great and his composure is rock solid as it so often is. Can anyone stop him in Rotterdam?
Griekspoor is having a great week of his own. The draw opened up for him no doubt, but he played great to take down Alexander Zverev, who was playing easily his best tennis since his return from injury. The Dutchman is loving the home support, which combined with his aggressive and explosive game is seeing him play great this week. Can he take down Sinner?
It will most likely take an off day from Sinner for Griekspoor to get the win here. That’s not to say it won’t be competitive – because it surely will. Griekspoor has played so well on the ATP tour since he moved away from Challengers, and he can be threat to anyone when he’s on form. Sinner, however, is on fire and there’s just so much in his game that he should find the answers when it counts.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
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Daniil Medvedev vs Grigor Dimitrov
Head-to-head: Medvedev 4-2 Dimitrov
Most people who follow tennis will be glad to see Daniil Medvedev playing some great tennis again. In terms of expectations and how good we all know he can be, 2022 was an utter disaster for the Russian – and he didn’t start this year too well either. Something has defnitely shifted since dropping the first set to Davidovich Fokina in his first match this week, though. He’s playing far more aggressively, executing his patterns well and there seems to be more confidence across the park.
Dimitrov has played really well this week – and his match point to beat de Minaur was one of the greatest you’ll ever see. We will never know how well Dimitrov can actually do in a tournament, as he will play amazingly and fill people with hope, only to then drop his level the next round. He loves playing in Rotterdam, and he can cause Medvedev plenty of problems if he executes his game effecteively.
With Medvedev back in decent form, does Dimitrov have a chance? Well, his performance against him at Indian Wells 2021 firmly suggests he can. Medvedev struggles to deal with an effective slice and an unpredictable game – which Grigor is more than capable of. However, it’s hard to trust that the Bulgarian can do this consistently enough to beat Medvedev, especially if he plays like he did against Auger-Aliassime (who played a dreadful match by his standards).
I can see Dimitrov taking a set by playing some explosive and dynamic tennis, but the Russian is a master of breaking down his opponents and he looks ready to dismantle people again.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
