Alex de Minaur turned 25 on Saturday and celebrated with a revenge win to reach the final of the ATP Rotterdam event after 84 minutes on court.
The Australian ranked 11th and seeded fifth defeated Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-3 to make up for a quarter-final loss to the Bulgarian here a year ago in a quarter-final.
De Minaur will play for the title against Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner.
De Minaur called his defeat of Dimitrov “probably one of the better matches I’ve played from start to finish.
“I always know that Grigor is going to lift his level and compete until the end, and I had to fight off some pretty tough break points, when I came up with some of my best tennis.
“That was the key today. I managed to hold onto my serve at key moments and I live to fight another day.”
De Minaur knocked out world No. 5 Andrey Rublev 24 hours earlier to earn his semi-final spot at the Ahoy stadium in the port city.
The Aussie concluded with 14 winners in his victory and becomes the second finalist from his country since Lleyton Hewitt, who lifted the indoor title two decades earlier.
“From the word go here in Rotterdam, I’ve felt a very calm presence. I’ve felt positive,” the winner said.
“I’ve been calm and collected throughout entire matches, and I think that’s been a big key for me.”
De MInaur is set for a ranking rise and is due to crack the Top 10 with a ninth spot in Monday’s ATP listings.
Main photo:- Birthday boy Alex de Minaur winning in Rotterdam – by ATPTour.com
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