ROTTERDAM/WASHINGTON, February 8, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)
World No. 8 Alex de Minaur dominated his way to victory in Rotterdam and advanced to back-to-back finals at the ABN Amro Open Saturday afternoon, ending the fantastic week that was qualifier Mattia Bellucci‘s to remember.
Inside the Rotterdam Ahoy Arena, the third-seeded de Minaur from Australia took control of his semifinal against the 92nd-ranked Bellucci early on – breaking serve in the second game of the match – and by the end of the 67 minute tussle, he had broken the young Italian’s serve four times en route to a 6-1, 6-2 win.
The victory advanced de Minaur into Sunday’s title match against World No. 3 and top seed Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, who defeated World No. 21 and eighth seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3, in two hours and 20 minutes in the other semifinal Saturday evening.
No stopping him @alexdeminaur is into the Rotterdam final without dropping a set!#abnamroopen pic.twitter.com/KgRgBjJxQn
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 8, 2025
De Minaur kept the level of his play high from first ball to last ball. After Bellucci had advanced to his first tour-level semifinal following a pair of stunning Top-20 victories – first over World No. 7 and second seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia, then over World No. 12 and sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, he maintained his free-spirited play – hitting a forehand tweener for a winner in the very first game, for instance – but simply ran out of energy by the end of the match.
Mattia Bellucci is here to PLAY #abnamroopen pic.twitter.com/LcchAO1GHn
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 8, 2025
“It’s been a tough week, a mental effort,” a slightly under-the-weather de Minaur admitted during his on-court interview with ATP Media. “Every time I step on the court, I want to be competitive, I want to compete to the very end. That’s what I’ve been doing. I’m extremely proud of my effort.”
The 25-year-old Australian passed Jannik Sinner for most ATP 500-series victory since the start of the 2023 season with 33. He did so by winning 73 percent of his total service points, backed by garnering 51 percent of his total return points. De Minaur faced no break points on his serve while winning four of four break points against Bellucci. He outpointed his opponent 55-34.
De Minaur’s first ace set up match point and he won after Bellucci hit a sixth-shot forehand return long. It wrapped up the Aussie’s fourth straight win this week without losing a set.
Nothing could faze the Demon today
No. 3 seed @alexdeminaur reaches back-to-back @abnamroopen finals! #abnamroopen pic.twitter.com/S3NRUz3QC2
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 8, 2025
“By far, this was my best match of the week,” de Minaur said. “I felt very comfortable with my ball striking. I did exactly what I needed to do. Tactically, I thought I played really well. In the important and tight moments, I backed myself. This was, by far, the best match of the tournament. Something I’ve learned over the years is it’s not about how you start, it’s about how you finish. Tomorrow, I hope I can bring even a better level.”
The Sydneysider’s victory also moved him past Novak Djokovic in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and come Monday, de Minaur will return to his career-high No. 6 ranking, first set last July. As for Bellucci, he’s jumped 24 spots in the live rankings after going 3-1 in Rotterdam and will secure a new career-best No. 68 next week.
“He played with so much confidence this whole week,” de Minaur said, in praising Bellucci. “He played some incredible tennis. I knew going in it was going to be a battle. I knew he was going to play loose like he has all week long. I just had to do my best to stay with him early, and see if I could get my chances early. Then, it became a little bit more of an uphill battle for him. He has a very, very bright future ahead, as well as so many Italians.”
Congratulations on a brilliant week, Mattia #abnamroopen pic.twitter.com/6q9NExE45U
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 8, 2025
Around the Rotterdam Ahoy
Joint World No. 1s Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Mate Pavic of Croatia were upset by unseeded Sander Gille of Belgium and Jan Zielinski of Poland, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (6), in an hour and 47 minutes in the first doubles semifinal match on Centre Court Saturday afternoon. The loss dropped Arevalo and Pavic to 7-3 on the 2025 season, while Gille and Zielinski improved to 5-2.
The Belgian/Polish duo combined to hit three aces, won 70 percent of their first-serve points, saved 10 of 11 break points and converted one of two chances. Gille and Zielinski were outpointed by Arevalo and Pavic 84-75.
Putting the icing on the cake @sandergille & @zielaczekk topple the top seeds Pavic/Arevalo to reach the doubles final in Rotterdam! @abnamroopen | #abnamroopen pic.twitter.com/xztRSjPs3f
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 8, 2025
Later, third seeds Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori of Italy, winners of the Adelaide title and finalists at the Australian Open, face British duo Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool. They are 11-1 this season.
Sunday’s Rotterdam order of play
By the numbers
Since the ATP 500 series was introduced in 2009, Carlos Alcaraz has reached seven ATP 500 finals, where he is 5-2. The all-time leader is Novak Djokovic (17), followed by Kei Nishikori (12) Stefanos Tsitsipas (11).
“Quotable …”
“I know that I’m playing against amazing opponents and that every day is a big challenge, because I am still not at this level. Maybe I can play two or three matches, but then I really have to keep the energy up. But I’m definitely looking forward to any new step.”
– Qualifier Mattia Bellucci of Italy, during his on-court interview Friday with ATP Media, after upsetting World No. 12 and sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach his first ATP Tour semifinal.
