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World no. 3 Daniil Medvedev will compete in s-Hertogenbosch for the sixth time in June. The organizers of the grass-court ATP 250 event have signed one of the world's best players, who will seek his second ATP title on grass after conquering Mallorca in 2021.
Medvedev debuted at the Libema Open in 2016 at 20, qualifying for the main draw before losing to Adrian Mannarino in the second round. The Russian returned a year later and entered the qualifying draw again, passing two rivals and entering the main action.
Daniil defeated two opponents and advanced into the quarter-final, meeting the Croatian veteran Ivo Karlovic. The more experienced player scored a 6-4, 6-4 triumph in 58 minutes, never facing a break point and keeping the pressure on his young opponent.
Daniil Medvedev will play in s-Hertogenbosch for the sixth time.
Karlovic rattled off five games, breaking the rival's resistance in the closing stages of the first and beginning of the second set.
Karlovic broke Medvedev at 4-4 in the opener and served out for the set a few minutes later. Gathering a boost, the Croat grabbed a break at 15 at the beginning of the second set, serving well and sealing the deal in under an hour with a hold in game ten.
Medvedev returned to s-Hertogenbosch in 2018 and suffered a heavy 6-4, 6-1 second-round loss to Fernando Verdasco in 55 minutes. The Russian scored one break and struggled behind the initial shot big time, losing half of the points in his games and propelling the Spaniard over the top after getting broken four times.
Daniil took a break from the Libema Open and returned four years later as world no. 2. The Russian reached the title clash after four wins, seeking the title against world no. 205 Tim van Rijthoven. The home player scored a rock-solid 6-4, 6-1 win in 65 minutes, lifting his first ATP title at 25 while playing only his second ATP tournament!
Van Rijthoven dropped nine points in his games, losing serve once early on and recovering in style. The Dutch player grabbed half of the return points and broke world no. 2 four times to emerge at the top and celebrate his proudest moment in a career.
Medvedev had a short s-Hertogenbosch campaign last year, falling to Adrian Mannarino in the second round. The Frenchman came from a set down in a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory in an hour and 59 minutes, sending world no.
3 packing. Daniil struggled behind the second serve and lost ground in the pivotal moments. He broke Mannarino three times but defended one out of six break points, sending his rival over the finish line. This year's Libema Open will take place between June 10-16, and the organizers will try to bring more high-profile names.