Djokovic beats Medvedev to reach Eastbourne final

(file photo)

Top seed Novak Djokovic eased past Russian Daniil Medvedev to reach the Aegon International final in south England's Eastbourne on Friday.

The 12-time Grand Slam champion needed one hour and 22 minutes to win 6-4, 6-4.

Djokovic, playing his first pre-Wimbledon grass-court event in seven years, will fight for the title against Frenchman Gael Monfils, who won 2-6, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-4) against compatriot Richard Gasquet.

The Serbian has dropped to fourth in the world rankings. He was stunned by world number 117 Denis Istomin in the Australian Open second round in January, before losing in the French Open quarterfinals earlier this month.

The former world No. 1 will play Slovakia's Martin Klizan in the first round at Wimbledon next week.