Grigor Dimitrov was the first player to make it to the final of the ATP World Tour 500 tournament in Rotterdam. The Bulgarian profited from his opponent David Goffin’s relinquishment and will face either Roger Federer or Andreas Seppi in the final.
Dimitrov saw the decisive scene in the second set at 0:1 from Dimitrov’s point of view, after the Bulgarian had won the first round 6:3. Goffin advanced to the net, Dimitrov tried a longline passers-ball with the forehand. The ball bounced sharply from the racquet frame to the Belgian’s left eye, which was immediately treated by the ATP physio. Without success in the end. After 61 minutes, Goffin had to congratulate his opponent on his entry into the final.
Dimitrov was clearly ahead of the semi-final in Rotterdam with 5-1 victories on the internal table. Most recently, the Bulgarian had won the ATP World Tour Finals against Goffin. However: A year ago, the Belgian had won his first match against Dimitrov in Rotterdam, at that time already in the quarter-finals.
In Sunday’s final Dimitrov will face either the Italian Andreas Seppi, who defeated Alexander Zverev in round two, or Roger Federer. Dimitrov is looking forward to his first victory against the Swiss player, who had signalled his return to the ATP throne on Friday with his quarter-final win over Robin Haase. Roger Federer has won all six previous duels, including those in Wimbledon 2017.
Here the single panel in Rotterdam