Jannik Sinner remains the bogey man for Alex de Minaur after beating the Australian No.1 7-5 6-4 in the final of the Rotterdam Open.
That extended the Italian’s record against de Minaur to 7-0. His dominance is becoming a problem for the battling Aussie with the pair of rising stars shaping up to meet regularly in the later stages of events in the next few years.
But while the scoreboard records a straight-sets win on Sunday (Monday AEDT) de Minaur, typically, did not go quietly in a packed Rotterdam Ahoy arena.
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When Sinner, at 5-4, served for the first set the Australian scraped and chased his way through a gripping 15-minute game saving four set points, before levelling the set after a 34-shot rally.
However, the Australian Open champion just composed himself and broke back, agonisingly after de Minaur decided to leave a volley that landed in. Sinner then served out for the set, finishing with an ace.
De Minaur, who will officially break into the top 10 for the first time next week, again recovered from an early break in the second set only to be broken again.
“Alex, once again against you it’s very tough. It’s better if we see each other playing doubles on the same side than playing against each other,” Sinner said in his on-court interview.
“You’re one of the kindest guys on tour. It’s really nice to have you around and to talk with you about other stuff. To you and your team, just keep working. You’re doing an amazing job and improving week after week. Wish you all the best for the rest of the season.”
Sinner, who will go to No.3 in the world, added: “I am really proud with the level that I played throughout this whole week.”
De Minaur was in good spirits despite falling in the final.
“I asked him jokingly if he’s going to lose a match this year. He’s playing an incredible level and just too good. I’ll get you back next time!” said De Minaur.
– With Ben Sutton
