Felix Auger-Aliassime is into yet another final, having comprehensively beaten Alexander Bublik in the semifinals.
It marks his second final in as many weeks, having come straight from his triumph in Montpellier and translated his form to Rotterdam.
However, he now faces arguably his toughest task yet, as two-time finalist Alex de Minaur awaits.
What might make this contest even more curious is the relationship they share, which Felix Auger-Aliassime spoke about after his recent win.
Felix Auger-Aliassime rates his level ahead of the Rotterdam Open final
Speaking on court after his match, the Canadian began by rating his level.
Naturally, he was brimming with confidence after yet another stunning display, and admitted: “Yeah, every day you come out when you’re on a streak and you don’t know if it might be the night that it’ll end. But tonight wasn’t the night, and in regard to my level, I mean, it was for sure my best match in a long time.
Will Alex de Minaur ever crack the ATP top five?
“I don’t know what the numbers are, but the efficiency everywhere, the precision… the intentions were clear, and I was just striking the ball well. When you feel like that on court, it’s a joy to play tennis. Obviously, it’s different for the opponent, but in regard to my game, it’s a great feeling.”
Then, turning his attention to De Minaur, Auger-Aliassime actually revealed what his relationship with the 26-year-old is like ahead of their final.
He claimed: “I think it’s a great matchup. #1 seed against #2 seed. He’s fallen short the last 3 years, now playing a different opponent.
“Obviously, he lost to Jannik and Carlos the last few years… but it’s not the time to be friends. We’re great friends off the court, I mean, we have a lot of respect for each other, and we’re gonna show that tomorrow, you know, battling and great sportsmanship. But at the same time, only one can lift the trophy, so we both have to go for it.”
It’s hugely impressive how Auger-Aliassime has reacted after such a rough start to the season. He is now into a second final in as many events.
Felix Auger-Aliassime’s head-to-head record vs Alex de Minaur
This will be the fifth meeting between Auger-Aliassime and De Minaur, but just their first in a proper tournament final.
And, it likely weighs much more heavily on the Australian of the two of them, given the fact that not only is he currently losing the head-to-head, with just one win from four, but also the fact that this is his third straight final in Rotterdam.
Having lost to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the previous two years, this clash represents his best chance yet to claim such coveted silverware.
However, the task ahead of him is a daunting one, facing Auger-Aliassime on an indoor hard court. This is a surface where he is arguably one of, if not the best, player on the planet.
What does Alex de Minaur need to change to challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner?
De Minaur really has his work cut out to snag this trophy.
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