De Minaur passes Fils test to launch Rotterdam title defense

Top seed and defending champion Alex de Minaur made a statement of intent on Tuesday evening at the ABN Amro Open, navigating a tricky opening hurdle with a 7-6(3), 6-2 victory over French Arthur Fils. The world No. 8, who arrived in Rotterdam with a target on his back as the tournament favorite, showcased the elite court coverage and defensive tenacity that propelled him into the top ten last season.

The opening set was a high-octane affair, with the 21-year-old Fils attempting to overpower the Australian with aggressive baseline hitting. However, De Minaur’s ability to absorb pace and extend rallies eventually wore down the Frenchman. After trading breaks, the set moved into a tiebreak where De Minaur’s superior consistency shone through, clinching it 7-3.

With the momentum firmly in his favor, “The Demon” tightened his grip in the second set. As Fils’ unforced error count climbed – a result of the constant pressure applied by the top seed – De Minaur broke twice to cruise to the finish line in one hour and 42 minutes.

Statistically, the Australian was particularly effective on his first serve, winning 76% of those points and successfully fending off three of the five break points he faced throughout the match.

De Minaur now awaits his opponent for the round of 16, which will be a clash of generations. He will face either his fellow countryman Aleksandar Vukic or the three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka.