Top seed Carlos Alcaraz reached his first indoor final after battling past Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3 in two hours and twenty minutes of fluctuating fortunes at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, and now faces Alex de Minaur for a chance to become the first Spanish champion at the event.
The World number three won 80% of points behind his first serve and saved five of the six breakpoints he faced – and was quick to send a message to some of his critics who thought that his power game would not transition well enough to indoor hard courts.
“It’s always special to reach the final in any tournament,” he said afterwards. “After a lot of talk [from some] about my performances on indoor courts, to be able to play a final here means a lot to me. I am really happy to show the people I can play well on indoor courts and hopefully win my first title.”
Alcaraz had a poor start and got broken straight away and was in even more trouble when 1-4 and 0-40 down but somehow reeled off five games in a row and won the set with a forehand drive-volley.
“He had a very strong start, I think he was playing at a very high level, I was surprised a bit that he didn’t miss any ball. I felt he was playing great from the baseline,” he said. “I just kept fighting and waiting for my chances. I just tried to play with more first serves which helped a lot for me. I did it pretty well to turn the match to my side, it was a great comeback. I am really happy I maintained a good level during the whole match.”
At five games all in the second the pair played arguably the point of the match with Alcaraz covering the width of the court a remarkable six times before chasing down a heavily sliced drop shot for a passing winner, sending the crowd wild. But Hurkacz held his nerve throughout the tie-break and took it 7-5 to square things up.
The Spaniard has been suffering from a cold during the week but admits he feels a lot better now, and that he would be keeping the black nose tape on to aid his breathing, as well as for maintaining the superstition of winning. He broke serve early in the third and held on for victory, sealed with a trademark forehand winner.
On the prospect of being the first Spanish winner in Rotterdam – as well as tying Rafael Nadal’s tally of just one indoor title – he said: “It’s very motivating for me, that nobody from Spain has won this tournament before, and I am looking forward to hopefully lifting the trophy. Alex de Minaur is a tough player; it will be an interesting final. The crowd has been amazing all tournament and even in my practices and I have enjoyed playing in front of them. It has been a great week so far and tomorrow hopefully I feel the same energy.”
In total contrast to Alcaraz’s fighting performance, De Minaur breezed through to the final as he demolished Mattia Bellucci 6-1, 6-2 in just 67 minutes. The Italian’s super run this week – where he played six matches from qualifying onwards and beat Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas back-to-back in the main draw – finally came to an end against his Australian opponent who was simply too quick and clever around the court, and has now reached his second successive final.
“I saw Mattia play some tennis this week and he played with incredible confidence to beat some of the best players in the world, “said De Minaur afterwards. “I was really able to analyse some of the matches and saw a couple of areas where I could hurt him. I knew he was going to come out and play loose and with confidence. I thought if I could get on top of him early then I could open up the match. If it was in the deep end of a tough first set then it would be a lot more dangerous.”
De Minaur, who secured a double break in the first set thanks to a winning forehand volley after a gutsy point featuring a tweener at the baseline by Bellucci – admits to liking the conditions in the indoor arena in Rotterdam. “I have played really well here. It’s slow and the balls have changed too. More than anything I just turn up every day. I put my head down and do my best every time I step out on court and win every point I can. Hopefully I can do one better than last year.”
Whether he wins the final or not, De Minaur moves back to World number six in next week’s rankings. “I keep adapting and evolving as a player,” he said. “I am very happy with where I am going and where things are at but I think I have a little bit more to go. Hopefully I can keep on pushing this year and finish strong.”
