Carlos Alcaraz conquered the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam! The Spaniard shined on his debut at the prestigious tournament and lifted his first indoor ATP title at 21. Carlos faced the 3rd seed Alex de MInaur in the final and earned a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 victory in an hour and 54 minutes.
The top seed played well in sets one and three. He kept his composure and outplayed his rival with a strong performance in the decider for his first ATP title since last year’s Beijing Open.
Oh stop it you two (please do continue) ⭐️⭐️@alexdeminaur comes out on top in an exhilarating rally! @abnamroopen | #abnamroopen pic.twitter.com/zN1HT2bNGU
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 9, 2025
The opening set saw ten quick service games, with the two rivals wrapping up the set in 35 minutes. World no. 3 held at 15 in game two and secured a break at 15 in the next one after an entertaining point and a winner at the net.
The Spaniard provided two holds at love in games four and six, forging a 4-2 advantage and controlling the pace. Alex recovered his game and gained confidence with two perfect holds. The Aussie made a push on the return at 3-4.
Carlos Alcaraz, Rotterdam 2025 © Stream screenshot
The 3rd seed grabbed a break at love in the eighth game after the rival’s forehand error, rattling off eight points and returning to the positive side. World no. 3 kept his composure and made another push on the return in game nine.
Alcaraz cracked a backhand down the line winner, securing a break at 15 and forging a 5-4 advantage. Carlos fired two service winners in the tenth game to wrap up the opener and move in front. Alex recovered his game in the second set.
He served well and pressured his rival in the early stages. The Aussie grabbed a break in the second game and created more chances at 3-0. Alcaraz saved them and remained within one break deficit. The Spaniard created a break chance in the seventh game and wasted it.
Alex de Minaur, Rotterdam 2025© X – ABN AMRO Open
De Minaur held for 5-2 and closed the set on his serve two games later, forcing a decider and improving his chances. Carlos made a fresh start in the decider and regained confidence in his service games. The 3rd seed failed to follow that pace.
Alex saved a break point in the second game before getting broken at 2-3. Alcaraz took ten of the previous 12 points after the seventh game, moving 5-2 up and closer to the finish line. The young gun grabbed another break in game eight, moving over the top and celebrating his first indoor ATP title.
Tennis World USA