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Medvedev punches ticket to Halle Open final with win over Otte

For most players, a back-to-back final in grass-court tournaments is a perfect Wimbledon warm-up. Russia’s Daniil Medvedev isn’t able to play at this season’s All England Club.

The top-ranked Medvedev beat Oscar Otte 7-6 (3), 6-3 on Saturday to advance to the final of the Halle Open in Germany, a week after he was runner-up at ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Otte was 5-3 up in the first set, but Medvedev fought back to force the tiebreaker.

The 26-year old Russian will take on either Nick Kyrgios, or Hubert Hurkacz in Sunday’s final.

Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime lost in the quarterfinals to Hurkacz on Friday. 

Auger Aliassime eliminated from Germany| Auger-Aliassime eliminated in Germany:

Auger-Aliassime beat in Halle Open quarterfinals

Number four seed Felix Auger–Aliassime from Montreal was defeated by number five seed Hubert Hurkacz, Poland 7-6(2) and 7-6(4) in Halle, Germany.

Wimbledon starts June 27 without Medvedev, or any other players of Russia and its ally Belarus. Wimbledon’s decision not to allow Russia’s invasion in Ukraine to continue broke with other Grand Slams as well as with the women’s and men’s tours. These tours won’t award ranking points for majors on grass-court.

Medvedev’s momentum on grass has not been halted by this win over Otte. He beat Otte to be 6-1 on grass this season. The only loss was to Tim van Rijthoven, then ranked 205th, at last week’s s-Hertogenbosch final.

Medvedev also benefits from the decision on Wimbledon ranking points. He only reached the fourth round last season so has fewer points expiring that tournament winner Novak Djokovic.

Source: CBC Sports