World number three Carlos Alcaraz prevailed over two-time runner-up Alex de Minaur to claim his maiden ABN AMRO Open title in his tournament debut in Rotterdam on Sunday.
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz overpowered world No. 8 Alex de Minaur 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in just under two hours to claim his first title at the ABN AMRO Open held in Rotterdam, his 17th on tour overall.
During the trophy ceremony, he commented: “Coming here [not] feeling 100 percent well with the cold but after every day, I’m feeling better and better. Rotterdam has been a really special week for me, not only for the title but for the support I [have] received here since the first day.”
Adding: “It was the first time that I [was] playing here, and you made it like I’ve been playing this tournament for a long time.”
In their third meeting at tour level, the first Spanish player to achieve the feat hit first, converting the first break in the third game of the opening set.
Then, they went on serve until De Minaur secured a break to love in the eighth game, recovering lost ground to even the tie at 4-4.
However, he took risks he could not afford, allowing his opponent to break back, securing a 5-4 advantage.
The Spaniard served for the set, keeping the momentum going to seal it 6-4 in 34 minutes, taking the first set off De Minaur this week at Rotterdam Ahoy Arena.
He made it difficult for the Australian, who as well as his opponent was not at 100 percent, dealing with a cold. Regardless, they fought with the intensity and top level that distinguished both players throughout the entire championship match.
At the net, the 21-year-old found an edge, making the task even harder for the 25-year-old, who left it all on the court in his second consecutive final in Rotterdam.
The Australian adjusted his game to start the second set with an early break, holding to extend his lead to 3-0.
Then, the four-time Grand Slam champion saved two break points before holding serve to narrow the gap to 1-3. Nonetheless, he seemed to have lost his timing with his backhand, which he put to good use in his semifinal clash against Hubert Hurkacz.
From there, the Sydney native held onto his advantage for the remainder of the set, navigating out of danger when needed.
In the seventh game, he survived a late challenge by the Spanish player, fending off a break point. And after a battle at deuce, he held his ground to open a 5-2 lead.
Ultimately, De Minaur’s relentless display led him to wrap up the second set 6-3 in 39 minutes, even the title match at one set apiece.
The final set saw the two title contenders rallying from the onset, pushing each other through intense, lengthy baseline exchanges.
Under heavy pressure, the 9-time ATP titlist saved a break point, going toe-to-toe with Alcaraz, holding 1-1.
As pressure continued to build, the decider soon turned into the most balanced set of the final with little to separate both players in a world-class showpiece.
Finding great consistency behind his first set delivery, Alcaraz hammered his forehand to inch ahead 3-2.
He took control of the match in the sixth game, securing a clinical break and holding 5-2.
Despite saving a match point, De Minaur could not halt the world No. 3 from taking a double break, marching to pocket the set 6-2 and the match to capture his 17th career title on tour, his first indoors.
He hit 19 winners against 34 unforced errors to the Aussie’s 14 to 32, respectively, and converted four of eight break points opportunities he had.
Australia’s No. 1 racquet reached back-to-back finals in Rotterdam Ahoy by producing a flawless display to beat Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci 6-1, 6-2 on Saturday.
Addressing his team during the trophy ceremony, he said: “We’re pushing for bigger and better things. It’s been a lot of improvements in my game over the last couple of years. I’m going to keep on pushing for more.
“It’s been two years now with this runner-up trophy. I’m hoping I’ll get my hand on the winners one day.”
Meanwhile, Alcaraz overpowered eighth seed Hurkacz in a thrilling three-setter semifinal matchup, becoming the third Spaniard to advance to the final at the ATP 500 event.