Daniil Medvedev’s impressive grasscourt form continued on Saturday at the Halle Open, where the top seed powered past home favourite Oscar Otte to reach his second consecutive ATP Tour final.

The World No. 1 fended off a set point in the opening set before rallying to a 7-6 (3), 6-3 semi-final victory in his first ATP meeting with World No. 51 Otte.

The Russian will meet Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, who defeated Aussie Nick Kyrgios 4-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), in the final on Sunday.

Last year in Halle, Germany, Medevedev fell in the first round to another German, Jan-Lennard Struff, on tournament debut. Since that defeat, the World No. 1 is 14-2 on grass, a tally which includes a title run at the Mallorca Championships last year.

“I didn’t play well in Halle last year, so I’m happy that this year I managed to raise my level,” said Medvedev after his semi-final victory. “As I’ve always said, I love playing on grass, so I’m happy to show to myself that I’m capable of being in the final of one of the greatest tournaments, especially on grass, and of course I’m looking forward to tomorrow (Sunday).”

Medvedev had saved all 17 break points he faced across his opening three matches in Halle this week, and he was under pressure early again after a fast start from Otte. The World No. 1 once again found accuracy and power in his delivery to fend off two break points in the second and fourth games of the match, but his streak was finally ended after 22 consecutive break points saved when Otte’s aggressive play earned a break for 5-3.

The excited home crowd sensed another upset from World No. 51 Otte, who had already beaten top-30 players Miomir Kecmanovic, Nikoloz Basilashvili and Karen Khachanov en route to the semi-finals on tournament debut in Halle.

The nerves began to show for the German as he served for the set, however.

Berrettini maintains hot streak

Italy’s Matteo Berrettini reached his fourth consecutive grasscourt final as he overpowered unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp at the Queen’s Club Championship on Saturday.

Friday’s sizzling heat had disappeared at the historic London venue, but defending champion Berrettini maintained his hot streak on the grass to win 6-4, 6-3.

The second seed will be a big favourite in Sunday’s final against Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic who took advantage of a poor display by Marin Cilic.

Krajinovic, who had never won a grasscourt match prior to this week, won 6-3, 6-3 against the seventh-seeded Croatian.

Berrettini was briefly held up in the second set by a short rain delay but he returned to break serve and cruised to victory, ending the contest with a neat drop volley.

World No. 10 Berrettini, who reached the Wimbledon final last year, has now won 19 of his last 20 matches on grass.

His only loss in that spell was against Novak Djokovic in Wimbledon last year.