Carlos Alcaraz will compete in his 22nd ATP final in Rotterdam. World no. 3 defeated Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 in two hours and 20 minutes for a place in his first indoor ATP title clash. Carlos will seek the trophy versus Alex de Minaur.
The Spaniard made a slow start before rattling off five games in the opener. He stood two points away from the finish line in the tie break of the second set but failed to bring the win home. However, the young gun delivered an early break in the decider and sealed the deal.
Alcaraz took nine points more than Hurkacz and prevailed in the pivotal ones. The Spaniard claimed 80% of the points behind the first serve and defended five of six break points. He generated nine break chances and seized three to move over the top.
Tennis of the HIGHEST order! 😮💨@carlosalcaraz @HubertHurkacz #ABNAMROOPEN pic.twitter.com/nFiTqmX9JR
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 8, 2025
It was a high-quality duel with more winners than unforced errors. Carlos landed 39 winners and 32 unforced errors. He dominated with his forehand and outplayed the Pole from the baseline to generate the crucial advantage.
Hubert made a flying start. He grabbed a break at love in the second game of the match after the rival’s loose drop shot attempt. The Pole landed a forehand drive-volley winner in the third game, cementing the break and opening a 3-0 gap.
Carlos Alcaraz, Rotterdam 2025© Stream screenshot
Alcaraz saved a break point in the fourth game and felt more issues at 1-4. World no. 3 defended three break points and took five straight points to bring the game home and reduce the gap. Hurkacz wasted three game points in the seventh game and paid the price.
Carlos claimed an entertaining point on a break point, landing a smash winner and pulling the break back. The Spaniard made another push on the return in game nine. He seized the fourth break point after Hubert’s double fault to move 5-4 in front.
Hubert Hurkacz, Rotterdam 2025© Stream screenshot
Alcaraz served for the opener at 5-4 and sprayed a backhand error to face a break point. He saved it with a service winner and converted a set point with a forehand drive-volley winner for a 6-4 advantage in 49 minutes. Hurkacz faced more issues in the first game of the second set.
He saved three break points and avoided an early deficit. They served well in the upcoming games, and Carlos closed the tenth game with a half-volley winner for 5-5. The set went into a tie break, and they claimed the opening eight points on serve.
The Spaniard grabbed a mini-break at 4-4 with a forced error and moved closer to the top. However, he hit a double fault in the tenth point and fell behind after Hurkacz’s fine volley attack. The Pole welcomed the rival’s backhand error at 6-5, closing the set and forcing a decider after an hour and 45 minutes.
Carlos Alcaraz, Rotterdam 2025© Stream screenshot
Carlos raised his level and served well in the final part of the match. World no. 3 landed a running drop shot winner at the net in the second game, clinching a break at love and building a decisive advantage.
The Spaniard held at 15 in the third game, taking 12 of the previous 13 points and moving closer to the top. World no. 3 closed the fifth game with a service winner for 4-1 and held at 30 two games later to maintain the advantage.
Alcaraz served for the win at 5-3 and landed a forehand down the line winner, sealing the deal and reaching his first indoor ATP final.
Tennis World USA