Alex de Minaur destroys Grigor Dimitrov, sets up final vs Jannik Sinner

Australian Alex de Minaur has delivered one of his best ever performances in a near “flawless” display on Sunday morning.

Alex de Minaur is on a tear in Rotterdam. Pic: Michael Klein

Australia’s Alex de Minaur celebrated his 25th birthday in style on Sunday, powering into the Rotterdam Open final with a straight-sets win over Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in a one-sided encounter.

The 6-4, 6-3 victory will take De Minaur to a career-high number nine in the world rankings — his first time in the top 10 – and sets up a mouth-watering final against Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner.

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It was deja vu for the Australian – he also spent his 24th birthday in Rotterdam playing Dimitrov.

Last year, de Minaur squandered two match points to crash out in the quarters. This time, he started quickly, breaking Dimitrov’s first service game to love.

Dimitrov worked his way into the match using his trademark backhand slice to break up the Australian’s rhythm and powerful forehand groundstrokes to back up a strong service.

De Minaur retrieved impressively and made few unforced errors, holding his serve despite constant Dimitrov pressure and eventually taking an entertaining first set 6-4.

The Demon has reached a new career high. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

In the second set, Dimitrov again failed to hold his first service game, handing the initiative immediately to the Australian.

The Rotterdam crowd was treated to some spectacular rallies as De Minaur found answers to everything Dimitrov threw at him, closing out the second set 6-3.

“I feel amazing. This year was a better birthday than I had last year,” he said after the match.

“Grigor is so talented, such a good player. Today I had to be basically flawless to get the win over him. On to the final, so happy days.”

Sinner is in outrageous form. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Sinner cruised into the Rotterdam Open final with a 6-2, 6-4 win over local hero Tallon Griekspoor, extending his stunning unbeaten run to 14 matches.

“It feels great to be back again in the final. It was a really tough match,” said Sinner.

The top-seeded Italian, who would rise to a career-high world number three if he lifts the title in Rotterdam, got off to a flying start and never looked back.

Sinner will enter the final with a commanding 6-0 record against the Aussie.

“It doesn’t really matter what’s happened in the past,” said the Italian. “I saw him play today. He played really, really good. I hope I can also play some good tennis tomorrow.”