Djokovic through to Eastbourne final

Novak Djokovic continues to gather momentum ahead of Wimbledon with another win at the Aegon International Eastbourne.

The top-seeded Serb ended the run of Russian 21-year-old Daniil Medveded, who has been enjoying an extremely impressive grasscourt season in 2017.

Djokovic’s 6-4 6-4 semifinal win sets up a title bout with Gael Monfils, who beat fellow Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-2 6-7(7) 7-6(4).

“I am enjoying undoubtedly this week and the fact that I’m in the finals obviously makes it even better,” Djokovic said.

“I’m really glad that I’ll be able to fight for the trophy. I haven’t had too many opportunities to fight for the trophy in the last 10 to 12 months.

“I haven’t had too many finals, so it’s actually a good feeling, and it’s something I’m working very hard for.

“It comes in the right moment, because I need to build that kind of level of confidence and the matches won obviously help that. Coming into Wimbledon, I’m hoping that I can continue in this path of raising the performance and the quality of tennis.”

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Djokovic, left reeling after a desultory quarterfinal loss to Dominic Thiem at Roland Garros, was unsure about his grasscourt plans before deciding to take a wildcard into the Eastbourne event.

It was the first time in seven years he’d played a grasscourt tune-up before Wimbledon.

And with straight-sets wins over dangerous grasscourters Vasek Pospisil, Donald Young and now Medvedev, the world No.4 has advanced to just his third final at nine events in 2017.

He has the chance to win his second title, after Doha in January, when he faces Monfils.

“He’s such a dynamic player and unpredictable,” said Djokovic, who owns an incredible 13-0 head-to-head record over the world No.16.

“He’s so athletic. He has a big, big serve. He can beat anyone, especially with that serve.

“I have played him many times before, so I have very good head-to-head, but I don’t think we ever played on grass. It would be a first.”