And then there were two. The final of one of the most historic indoor events is set with the top two seeds set to collide at the ATP Rotterdam Open. Two-time former finalist in Rotterdam, Alex de Minaur, taking on one of the best indoor hard-court players in the world, Felix Auger-Aliassime. with both men in excellent form coming into the match. As always, we here at LWOT will be providing you with our preview and prediction, but who do you think will lift the title on Championship Sunday?
ATP Rotterdam Final Prediction
Alex de Minaur vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Head-to-head: Auger-Aliassime 3-1 de Minaur
Both players reach the final after playing contrasting styles of tennis throughout the week. The top seed entering the tournament, Alex de Minaur, despite not facing a single seeded opponent en route to the final, has had to get past the likes of Arthur Fils, Stan Wawrinka, and Ugo Humbert to get here. His biggest challenge, however, came against local player Botic van de Zandschulp, who was just a couple of points away from denying the Aussie what is now a third consecutive final in Rotterdam.
As for Felix Auger-Aliassime, he enters the final having beaten two seeded players and without dropping a set. To make the final, he dismantled a top-10 player in Alexander Bublik in the semifinals, dropping only three games and winning the match in under an hour, once again showing how dangerous he can be on an indoor hard court.
This matchup ultimately comes down to whether de Minaur can make enough returns on the Canadian’s first serve and extend rallies beyond what is typical indoors for Auger-Aliassime. On the contrary, as he has done to many opponents on this surface, Auger-Aliassime will look to take the racket out of the hands and the legs of an opponent who relies heavily on his defense, while also attacking de Minaur’s second serve.
While de Minaur has experience on these courts, Auger-Aliassime is the stronger player on indoor hard courts, winning 17 of his last 20 completed matches on the surface, with the only losses coming against Jannik Sinner (twice) and Carlos Alcaraz. As such, in a matchup where he has historically been effective at taking time and court position away, and on a surface that suits him best, I see the Canadian continuing his indoor dominance.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 3
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images