David Goffin takes on Pierre Hugues Herbert in the second semi-final of the ongoing Rotterdam Open on Saturday.
The third seed outclassed Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 in a tightly-contested quarter-final outing to avenge his defeats to the in-form Bulgarian, who has won 16 of his 18 matches in 2017, earlier this season. Notably, Goffin had lost to the world number 12 at the Sofia Open final last week as well as the Australian Open quarter-final last month.
Goffin had been in good form in the ongoing season as the world number 11 had reached the quarter-final in Melbourne and continued his form at Sofia Open but kept failing to Dimitrov. However, after having overcome his biggest hurdle here in Rotterdam, the third seed targets his maiden title in Rotterdam.
"It was an amazing match, from the first point until the last, with great intensity. I decided to be really aggressive from the first ball. That was the key, to show him [Dimitrov] I was ready to be aggressive," Goffin spoke of his quarter-final win, as quoted by ATP's official website.
"This year I have come here with more confidence. That is why I have won some tough matches. I'm really happy to be in the semi-finals for the first time."
On the other hand, world number 107 Herbert has stunned Dominic Thiem and claimed his first top-10 victory in his quarter-final clash on Friday. The qualifier has not dropped a set yet in the main round of the tournament. While he will be eyeing another upset against Goffin, the Frenchman is also scheduled to play the Men's doubles semi-final along with Nicolas Mahut right after his first match on Saturday.
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