Rotterdam Open: Alex de Minaur Clinches Title at Third Time of Asking

Australian ends final hoodoo with dominant straight-sets victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime

February 15, 2026 | 2 min read

ROTTERDAM — Third time’s the charm.

Alex de Minaur finally claimed the Rotterdam Open title on Sunday, defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-2 in a commanding final performance—his first ATP trophy since the 2025 Washington Open.

The victory was particularly sweet for the Australian world No. 8, who had fallen in the previous two Rotterdam finals: to Jannik Sinner in 2024 and Carlos Alcaraz in 2025.

Match Summary

“I mean, third time lucky,” de Minaur said after lifting his 11th ATP title.

“I’m so super happy. It ended up being a great week here, a place where I always feel really, really good.

“I was just a step short the previous years, so it feels great to finally be able to lift the title.”

Rotterdam Final History

Auger-Aliassime was playing his third Rotterdam final, having won the tournament in 2020 (vs Gael Monfils) and 2022 (vs Stefanos Tsitsipas).

Elsewhere on Tour: Shelton Wins Dallas

In Texas, Ben Shelton clinched the Dallas Open title with a comeback victory over compatriot Taylor Fritz.

What’s Next

De Minaur’s Rotterdam triumph marks his first title of the 2026 season and positions him strongly for the upcoming North American hard-court swing. For Auger-Aliassime, runner-up finishes in both Montpellier and Rotterdam suggest a title breakthrough may not be far away.

Rotterdam: De Minaur Survives Massive Scare to Keep Title Dream Alive

Australian No. 1 battles past Van de Zandschulp to reach third consecutive semi-final in Rotterdam

By Henry Wancke
February 14, 2026 | 3 min read

ROTTERDAM — Top seed Alex de Minaur is through to the ABN AMRO Open semi-finals, but only after surviving a monumental scare against home favourite Botic van de Zandschulp in a 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-5 quarter-final thriller.

The world No. 8, chasing a third consecutive final appearance in Rotterdam, dug deep into his mental reserves to overcome a Dutchman playing well above his No. 68 ranking.

Match Summary

De Minaur trailed 2-0 in the deciding set before mounting his comeback, saving five of seven break points faced—including three during a crucial service hold at 3-3 in the second set.

“It wasn’t looking too good about three quarters of the way through the match, but I managed to find some of my better tennis today at the end of the second set,” de Minaur said.

“Another great mental effort. I’m happy I got through.”

With this victory, de Minaur becomes just the second player in tournament history to reach three consecutive semi-finals, joining Dutch legend Tom Okker (1974-76).

The Australian is now 15-2 on Dutch soil since the start of 2024, a tally that includes the 2024 ‘s-Hertogenbosch title.

Semi-Final Showdown

Awaiting de Minaur in Saturday’s last four is Ugo Humbert, who dispatched Christopher O’Connell 6-4, 6-1 to win his 10th consecutive quarter-final. Humbert’s only break came in the 10th game of the opener, after which he ran away with the match.

Bublik Joins Semi-Final Line-Up

In other quarter-final action:

• Alexander Bublik defeated Jaume Munar 6-4, 6-7(4), 7-6(3) in 2hr 42min

• The win marked Bublik’s 200th tour-level victory—a first for Kazakhstan

• He will face Felix Auger-Aliassime, who beat Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(2), 6-2

“When you play him, you know all the balls will come back,” Bublik said of Munar. “The grand plan was to get winners and shorten the points.”

Auger-Aliassime, last week’s Montpellier champion, extended his winning streak to seven matches.

De Minaur remains on course for a third straight Rotterdam final—but with Humbert, Bublik, and Auger-Aliassime standing in his way, the path won’t get any easier.

“Really Terrible”: Rotterdam Tennis Ball Backlash Grows as De Minaur and Fils Join Medvedev’s Crusade

By Charlie Eccleshare
2 min read

ROTTERDAM — The mutiny over tennis balls at the Rotterdam Open is escalating.

Alex de Minaur and Arthur Fils have become the latest top players to condemn the Head Tour XT ball, joining Daniil Medvedev who called it “not round” and “horrible” after his first-round exit Monday.

“They Are Terrible”

Fils, speaking after his loss to de Minaur, did not hide his frustration:

“They are terrible. Really terrible. The ball is very bad. After two games they get bigger and very slow. That is not normal. ATP have to do better.”

De Minaur, the world No. 8, agreed:

“I have struggled a lot. They are definitely not my favourite. I don’t think they’re anyone’s favourite. Very difficult to control.”

His diagnosis: a “dead ball” that favours “big hitters who can hit through that.”

Medvedev’s Meltdown

The firestorm began 24 hours earlier when Medvedev summoned the supervisor mid-match:

“These balls are not round. Are you sure? Because I see it not round.”

His verdict was unsparing:

“Please delete these f—ing balls from this f—ing life.”

The Deeper Issue

Taylor Fritz and Alexander Zverev have long demanded an end to tournaments switching balls week-to-week. Fritz has linked the heavy balls to rising injury rates.

The ATP promised centralization by 2027, moving away from tournament-selected suppliers. For now, Rotterdam’s balls remain.

De Minaur’s take:

“It is what it is. My job is to adapt.”