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AFP, THE HAGUE, Netherlands
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Australia’s Alex de Minaur on Sunday won the Rotterdam Open at the third time of asking, producing typical counterpunching tennis to overcome Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-2.
The top seed had lost the previous two finals to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, but he seized on the absence of the world’s top two to make it third time lucky.
“It feels great to finally be able to lift the title,” the world No. 8 said. “Every day I got better and I’m super pleased with the performance today.”
Australia’s Alex de Minaur returns to Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Rotterdam Open men’s singles final in the Netherlands on Sunday.
Photo: AFP
Canada’s Auger-Aliassime threw everything at the 26-year-old, but the Australian soaked up the pressure and retrieved brilliantly to finally take the crown.
The early games went with serve, but De Minaur seized the initiative in the sixth game, breaking the Canadian’s serve with some trademark retrieving and a spectacular backhand winner up the line.
The top seed sealed the first set 6-3 with a powerful service, his consistency proving too much for Auger-Aliassime, who was left to rue 14 unforced errors, mainly on the forehand wing.
Australia’s Alex de Minaur holds the trophy after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in the Rotterdam Open men’s singles final in the Netherlands on Sunday.
Photo: AFP
The pattern repeated in the second set, on serve until De Minaur clinched a break to love in the fifth game after two disastrous Auger-Aliassime double faults.
After that setback, the Canadian took a medical timeout for a reason that was not immediately clear, returning with no obvious movement issues.
However, De Minaur again broke his serve to love, Auger-Aliassime dumping a forehand into the net to put the Australian on the brink.
De Minaur made no mistake, taking the title with his first ace of the match, and raising his arms in triumph and relief.
“Third time lucky. We finally managed to get the title,” the Australian said as he collected the trophy. “I’m glad I was finally able to get the title. It’s been one of my favorite spots on the calendar. I love coming back here in Rotterdam. I’ve played some of my best tennis here and I finally get the reward.”
Auger-Aliassime paid tribute to his opponent, saying: “He had no holes in his game and I couldn’t find a way.”
“Sometimes I have to accept the loss and the fact that my opponent was better, and today he definitely was,” the Canadian added.
