Roger Federer stayed competitive in Rotterdam for two decades, debuting in 1999 and lifting the third title in 2018. Roger toppled Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-2 in 55 minutes on February 18, 2018, to lift the trophy and become world no.
1 the following day. Federer secured his 97th ATP title and the second of the season after the Australian Open. Roger beat Grigor for the seventh time in as many encounters, with the Bulgarian getting sick on Saturday night and playing miles below his best.
Federer never faced a break point and stole the rival’s serve twice in each set to control the scoreboard and earn his first Rotterdam title in six years. The Swiss claimed his 20th ATP 500 title and passed Rafael Nadal, leaving the Spaniard on 19.
Roger Federer defeated Grigor Dimitrov in under an hour in the 2018 Rotterdam final.
Also, Roger reached the 10000-point mark for the first time since January 2013! Federer was flawless in his service games, dropping seven points and keeping Grigor away from break chances.
On the other hand, Dimitrov could not do much with his initial shot. He hit only one ace and lost 45% of the points in his games to find himself in trouble in almost every service game after those two at the beginning of the match.
It was the most desired final once the draw came out, and they were off to a great start, with just three points for the returners in the opening four games. Suddenly, Grigor faded from the court and never regained his composure after netting a backhand that cost him his service game at 2-2.
Roger took complete control and broke again in game seven after another groundstroke error from the Bulgarian. A service winner gave Federer the opening set at 5-2, winning 20 out of the last 26 points to bring the set home in 25 minutes.
Grigor struggled more in set number two. He sprayed a backhand error to drop serve in the first game, drifting further away from the title. The Bulgarian saved a break point in game three to end his drought, but Roger pulled another break when Grigor double faulted at 1-3.
A volley winner gave Federer the title in the eighth game, completing one of his fastest triumphs in the ATP finals and celebrating a historic week that brought him so much.
