Alex de Minaur Wins Maiden Rotterdan Open Final

 

Alex de Minaur is the champion of this year's Rotterdam Open, clinching the maiden title by defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, in the final. 

De Minaur battled through a tough 77 minutes to finally oust the Canadian, who is a three-time finalist and a two-time champion of the ABN AMRO final. He missed out on the title in the last edition after losing in the final to Jannik Sinner. He has now accomplished his goal in the indoor hard-court event on his third attempt. 

The Australian quickly established Control in the first set, breaking Felix's serve in the seventh game by winning his first break point. Felix was neatly outclassed in the second set as De Minaur broke twice before sealing the championship points on his serve. 

"It's been one of my favourite spots on the calendar," said De Minaur, lifting his maiden title. "I play some of my best tennis, and I finally get the reward."

Meanwhile, Felix endured physical challenges playing in the final. The Canadian took a timeout to be attended to at 3-2 in the second set. The paramedics attended to him to relieve him of pain in his left leg. Felix won his maiden Rotterdam Open title in 2020, defeating Gael Monfil, and won the title for the second time in 2022, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas.