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Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner continued his impressive early-season form to reach the final of the Rotterdam Open by eliminating the home favourite Tallon Griekspoor 6-2 6-4 in their ABN AMRO Open semi-final in Rotterdam, an ATP 500 level event.
Sinner is enjoying an exceptional start to the season after winning this year’s first Grand Slam in Melbourne and remains on track to improve his career tally to 12.
In contrast, the 27-year-old Griekspoor was chasing his first of the season and the third of his career and with his powerful serving, he had his chances.
Sinner though broke early to lead 3-1 and then dominated the opening set though the Dutchman came back at him late in the opener.
Griekspoor again started brightly in the second and looked to level leading 3-2 on serve only to be broken as Sinner took control to move 5-4 ahead before claiming the set and match after just 81-minutes of play for his 14th straight victory.
“Today, in a practice session beforehand, we tried to keep the intensity quite high, trying to feel the court and get into the rhythm a little bit,” said Sinner after his win. “I knew that today I had to raise the level, which I have done, and obviously I’m glad that I can play once more here in the final in Rotterdam.”
Last year Sinner lost to Daniil Medvedev in a tight three set finalbut will be facing Alex de Minaur in Sunday’s final, the 16th tour final of his career, after the Australian defeated Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-3 in the other semi-final which opened the day’s play.
Sinner added: “It would mean a lot [to win the title]. It’s a special place, as I’ve said many times. The tournament believed in me years ago, and this is my second final. Last year I lost in three sets, so every final is different.
“Let’s see what’s coming. I know [De Minaur] quite well, he knows me well, and I guess he’s going to change a couple of things. So tomorrow I have to be really prepared and ready and we will see what I am capable of.”
De Minaur, has not won in six previous clashes with Sinner and should the top seed extend that lead and lift the trophy, he will rise to a career-high 3 in the world rankings which would be the highest position an Italian male had ever recorded.
Alex de Minaur will provide strong opposition.s.
(Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
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