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Rafael Nadal failed to conquer the prestigious indoor event in Rotterdam. Rafa competed at this tournament two times, losing the final to Andy Murray in 2009 and never returning. The Spaniards had no luck in Rotterdam before Carlos Alcaraz changed that last week!
Carlos claimed his first indoor ATP title in Rotterdam. Thus, he becamethe first Spanish player on the list of champions at this event and completed the trophies on all four surfaces at 21 years and nine months.
As many times before, Nadal congratulated Alcaraz on his most recent success. Last October, Carlos overpowered Jannik Sinner in that epic Beijing Open final. Four months later, the young gun added the sixth ATP 500 crown to his impressive CV.
The 21-year-oldbattled past threechallenging rivals and lifted a trophy, his first with a roof above his head.Carlos prevailed overHubert Hurkacz in the semi-final and arranged the title clash with Alex de Minaur.
The Spaniard bested the Aussie 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 inan hour and 54 minutes, taking the crucial points and moving over the top. The Spaniard defended his second serve more efficiently and suffered two breaks. World no. 3 stepped in and dominated the final set.
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He provided four breaks and left as the last man standing. De Minaur fought well, erasing the deficit in the opening set and taking the second. He had the upper hand from the baseline but hit fewer service winners than the top seed.
Alcaraz made a perfect start. He produced a couple of comfortable holds and fired a forehand winner in the third game for a break at 15 and the advantage. Alex bounced back and made a push on the return at 3-4, earning a break at love and returning to the positive side.
Carlos did not lose his focus. The Spaniard secured another break in game nine with a backhand down the line winner and built another advantage. Alcaraz brought the opening set home with a service winner at 5-4, moving closer to the finish line.
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De Minaur raised his level in the second set. The Aussie converted the second break point in the second gameafter the Spaniard's backhand mistake. Carlos played against two more break points in the fourth game, defending them and staying in touch.
Alex landed a forehand winner in the seventh game, saving a break point and moving 5-2 in front. The 3rd seed held in the ninth game, closing the set in style and introducing a decider after an hour and 13 minutes.
Alcaraz left that part of the matchbehind and started all over in the final set. The Spaniard squandered a break point in the second game and closed the fifth after a deuce for 3-2. Carlos cracked a backhand winner in the sixth game for break chances.
De Minaur missed a backhand on the first, losing serve and falling 4-2 behind. Alcaraz cemented the advantage with a service winner in game seven for 5-2. The Spaniard stepped in on the return in game eight and delivered a break that sent him over the top.
