Title number 97?

In the finals of the ATP tournament in Rotterdam, there will be a hammering duel between the world’s No. 1 Roger Federer and the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.

The final in Rotterdam will be a spectacle and a treat for all tennis fans.

Roger Federer meets the current number five in the world, Grigor Dimitrov. Federer could crown his dream week with title number 97. By reaching the semi-finals, the Swiss returned to the throne of tennis as the oldest player of all time.

In the semi-finals against Andreas Seppi, the 36-year-old, despite the renewed gigantic hype, was focused on his personality and won against the resurgent Italian in two sets. Seppi played well, Federer had the better answers and expanded his series to 11-0 matches in 2018.

Unbeaten, the “Maestro” will therefore go into the game against his younger opponent from Bulgaria and will have to prepare for a tough duel. Dimitrov regained his old strength in Rotterdam after a shaky start to the season and is slowly coming back into gear. After last year’s glorious season-end, Dimitrov was a bit tired at the turn of the year and had to cancel the tournaments after the quarter-finals at the Australian Open due to a shoulder injury. In the semi-finals in Rotterdam, Dimitrov benefited from Belgian David Goffin’s relegation to the semi-finals, who suffered an eye injury in a volley with a ricochet.

At the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, the 26-year-old is still missing his set and is confident in the final against the seemingly unbeatable Swiss player. So far, Federer has had minor problems with his first serve. In some cases, the rate was only 30 percent – too little for a successful outcome against his opponent in the final. Dimitrov will have to take advantage of his chances and has what it takes to put the old master on the other side at serious risk; especially if Federer’s first one fails.

Otherwise you can clearly see Federer loosening up. With “chip and charge”, eager net attacks or interspersed stops, the Swiss player unwinds his entire repertoire and takes his opponents out of rhythm. The backhand and forehand of the number one runs round the whole week and always generates winners. This will also be the key against Dimitrov. On the backhand side, Federer must remain constant and stand up to the hard blows of his opponent.

Dimitrov, on the other hand, must take advantage of his opportunities – he will not get many. The Bulgarians can playfully keep up with Federer and occasionally throw a deep slice into the rallies. However, they may not sail too short into the field. Federer leaves chances from the semi-field almost never to lie down and plays the balls deliberately and close to the baseline. If the direct profit doesn’t jump out in the first attempt, Federer’s outstanding volley game will do the rest.

Of course, the Swiss player is the favourite of the favourites, who can also play free without any pressure. With the return to the top,”FedEx” has already reached its goal in Rotterdam and will see the title win in the Netherlands as a great bonus. For Dimitrov, the situation is different. Former number three lost ground with the start of the season and lost two places in the world rankings. The 500 ranking points from Rotterdam would certainly be good for the Bulagren.

The fans in the Rotterdam-Arena can expect a stylistically refined exchange of strokes and a spectacle of the highest tennis art.