Jannik Sinner follows up Australian Open title with Rotterdam Open crown, beating Alex de Minaur in final

ByOli Gent

Updated 18/02/2024 at 19:30 GMT

Jannik Sinner claimed his second title of 2024 after he clinched the Rotterdam Open trophy, beating Alex de Minaur 7-5 6-4 in the Netherlands. Sinner, who rises to world No. 3 as a result, earned his 15th consecutive tour win and his 12th title with a straight-sets triumph over the Australian, who was able to break back twice, once in each set, but Sinner had enough to get the job done.

Jannik Sinner bagged his second title of 2024 as he claimed the Rotterdam Open trophy, beating Alex de Minaur 7-5 6-4.

The Italian, who claimed a maiden Australian Open in January, was in unstoppable form in the Netherlands, dropping just one set en route to Sunday’s final.

He had previously come through home favourite Botic van de Zandschlup, the evergreen Gael Monfils, and heavy-hitting Milos Raonic, before beating another Dutchman, Tallon Griekspoor, in the semi-finals.

ATP Rome

Are Nadal, Alcaraz, Djokovic playing Italian Open? When does it start?

03/05/2024 at 10:50

De Minaur, the fifth seed at the event, beat Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets in the final four, and second seed Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals the previous day.

But come the final showdown, it was Sinner who extended his unbeaten run over the Australian, with the now world No. 3 - rising above Daniil Medvedev after claiming this crown - seven matches undefeated against De Minaur, who is up to ninth.

Sinner hit 23 winners in this final, and he let a break advantage in both sets slip - the first when serving for the opener at 5-4, with De Minaur saving four set points.

• 'My dream is to become No. 1 in the world' - Sinner eyeing top-ranked status
• Vonn likens Australian Open champion Sinner to Federer

This, however, would not affect him, with the 22-year-old recovering well to break the Australian immediately afterwards, and set him on his way to claiming a 15th consecutive victory and adding a 12th title to his growing list of accolades.

“I served for the first set at 5-4 and he played an incredible game there," Sinner said afterwards.

"I missed a couple of things, but that’s normal. I had to get back on [it] the point after, and I felt like the match was really good. We both played well, I felt that I could have served a little bit better, but those are the details. In the future, that could make me stronger. Amazing week. It has been a joy to play in Rotterdam.

'It means a lot' - Sinner reflects on 'amazing week' after Rotterdam glory

"Every time when you win a title, it doesn’t matter how big, it means a lot. I had a little bit more attention, but when you earn something, you have to deal with that. I felt like I was trying to put 100% effort into everything I’ve done and that’s the result of this week. It’s going to start again from zero at Indian Wells, so I'm already trying to improve, and let’s see what’s coming.”

- - -

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

ATP Madrid

Sinner withdraws from Madrid Open as hip injury sparks French Open fitness race

01/05/2024 at 18:55

ATP Madrid

'I kept fighting' - Alcaraz survives Struff scare to make quarter-finals, Sinner progresses

30/04/2024 at 20:11

ATP Madrid

Nadal gets revenge win over De Minaur, Tsitsipas crashes out

27/04/2024 at 22:19