ACAPULCO – Having made the second week in Melbourne, reached the final of Rotterdam and now successfully defended his ATP 500 crown in Acapulco, Alex de Minaur confirms that he will again be a contender for the major titles this season.
The Australian perhaps isn’t the flashiest player in the top 10, but his solid and efficient tennis works wonders with an impeccable work ethic and mindset.
In Acapulco, he defeated Norway’s Casper Ruud in the final to cap an excellent week. The 25-year-old Australian won his 10 consecutive match in Acapulco to break a four-match losing streaks in ATP finals, including Rotterdam earlier this year.
“It was a bit the same as last year – I started the week without necessarily feeling very comfortable on the court but I improved little by little,” De Minaur said according to ATP tour official website.
“I managed to raise my level of play and also play the best match of my week in the final. I’m very happy to defend a title for the first time.
“I didn’t put too much pressure on myself; I took it one game at a time and gave it my all. It’s been one of my best weeks on the circuit.”
De Minaur, who believes firmly in hard work, continues to gain confidence when he sees that it pays off.
“I’m very proud of all the work done by my team, when many didn’t think we’d get this far, and my results this year.
“In the final, you could see that my aggressive style of play was now helping me win a lot of matches.”
“Acapulco is becoming like a second home. I thought that it was impossible to get feel better after what happened last year, but I came back a year later to defend the title and it has been true pleasure,” de Minaur said according to AP.
The Mexican Open was nearly canceled because a category 5 hurricane hit the city four months ago, leaving 52 people dead. The Diamond Zone an oceanfront area replete with hotels and where the tennis arena is located, was devastated.
“We (the tennis players) wanted to bring some joy to this wonderful city and I´m sure that Acapulco will shine stronger than ever,” added the Australian.
The sixth-seeded Ruud missed the chance to win his 11th title in the ATP and his first ATP 500 title.
De Minaur took an early break to take a 3-1 lead in the first set and both hold their serve for the 6-4 score in the first one.
In the second, both players exchanged breaks in the first four games and the Australian got a break in the seventh game to take the lead.
“It’s been an amazing week,” said De Minaur, who finished runner-up to Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner in Rotterdam last month.
The world number nine drew first blood for a 2-1 lead in the opening set as sixth-seeded Norwegian Ruud, who battled through tough three-setters against Ben Shelton and Holger Rune in the prior two rounds, appeared slightly off the pace.
But like he did in those matches, Ruud responded strongly to grab an early break in the second set, only for De Minaur to pull level at 2-2 before getting his nose in front in the seventh game with a stinging forehand winner.
With the momentum swinging his way, De Minaur wrapped up the match with a solid service game and celebrated being the first man to man retain the Acapulco title in 12 years. “I’m looking forward to that,” he added.
France’s Ugo Humbert improved to 6-0 in ATP Tour-level title matches in defeating Alexander Bublik 6-4, 6-3 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Fifth seed Humbert was in control against Kazakhstan’s Bublik, the seventh seed who led 9-0 in double faults and 9-5 in unforced errors. Humbert saved both break points and had more aces (9-8) and winners (25-20).
Humbert also won the ATP 500 grass-court event in Halle in 2021 among his six career tour titles.
Fourth-seeded Alejandro Tabilo of Chile fought off qualifier Corentin Moutet of France 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 to advance to the final in Santiago, Chile.
After dropping the first set, Tabilo finished strongly on the second and third, pulling away from a 4-4 tie in the second and 5-5 in the third by winning back-to-back games, breaking Moutet’s serve to clinch on each occasion.
Baez dominated in his victory, scoring all five of the match’s aces. He also converted three of six break points while saving both of his own.
