Alex de Minaur’s bid for a confidence-boosting title ahead of his looming Wimbledon campaign has ended in a heartbreaking loss to Kamil Majchrzak in the final of the ATP’s Dutch grass-court event.
The Australian number one had opted to use the tournament in ‘s-Hertogenbosch to rebuild his shattered confidence after his French Open setback when bowing to out Jakub Mensik in the third round last month.
But despite staging a gritty fightback to draw level with Majchrzak in the climax to the Rosmalen Championships overnight, de Minaur eventually lost out in a final-set tie-break to succumb 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5).
The 27-year-old had looked in great shape this week when returning to his favoured grass surface after the clay of Paris, culminating in a resounding straight-sets victory over another previous winner in Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in Saturday’s semifinals.
But de Minaur, who was hoping to repeat his 2024 triumph in Holland, was unable to halt world number 76 Majchrzak’s remarkable run, which also saw him dispatch world number four Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals, number eight Daniil Medvedev in the semis, and now de Minaur, who remains ranked sixth.
In doing so, the 30-year-old has become just the third Polish man to lift a tour-level trophy in the Open era after Wojtek Fibak and Hubert Hurkacz, and has entered the top 50 for the first time in his career.
“I don’t know what to say. This is an incredible moment for me and an incredible fun and run to make this happen,” he said.
“Alex is one of the toughest opponents you can face, so I knew I had to play my best to win and I think I did for the most part of the match.”
Majchrzak blew a chance for a break in the third set but upped the ante in the deciding breaker to keep de Minaur shuffling around the court before seeing out victory in two hours, 25 minutes.
“I am really grateful for this moment and will really enjoy it so much. Thanks to everyone who came here,” he added.
“It has been unbelievable.”
For the Sydney-born Australian number one, a runners-up finish continues a strong start to the grass season and he will now go to Queen’s Club in London next week as top seed, hoping to improve further before Wimbledon.
And typically magnanimous in defeat, he praised Majchrzak for his achievements.
“I’d like to congratulate Kamil and his team. Not just for today but for an unbelievable week. You deserved it today,” de Minaur said in a courtside interview.
“You were the better player. It was a great battle. I just want to say too good. Congrats, mate.
“As for me, obviously would’ve loved to be able to get the job done today. But a great start to the grass court season.
“A good week. To my team and everyone around, we’re gonna keep on building. Hopefully this is the first of many great weeks on the grass.”
AAP
