It’s the time of year when Felix Auger-Aliassime does a lot of damage, and that’s exactly what he’ll do again in 2026.
Auger-Aliassime, one of the most dominant indoor hard court players in the world, won a title in Montpellier last week and is now in the final of the ABN AMRO Open after victories over Alexei Popyrin, Hamad Medjedovic, Tallon Greekpoor and Alexander Bublik. The sixth-seeded Canadian did not drop a single set in Rotterdam and only Greek Spoor managed to force a tiebreak.
Standing in Auger-Aliassime’s way to the trophy on Sunday is De Minaur, who leaves the head-to-head series 4-2 (3-1 in the main tour). Auger-Aliassime has won both previous indoor matches: 7-5, 6-3 at the 2017 Drummondville Challenger and 6-3, 6-4 at the 2022 Davis Cup final. They last faced each other in the quarter-finals of the 2025 US Open, with the Canadian prevailing 4-6, 7-6(7), 7-5, 7-6(4).
De Minaur may not be as skilled as his opponent on this surface, but in Rotterdam he is an absolute force. This is the Aussie’s third consecutive eighth-place appearance in the final of this ATP 500 event, having previously finished second behind Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. De Minaur’s last run in Rotterdam came at the expense of Arthur Fils, Stan Wawrinka, Botic van de Zandschulp and Ugo Humbert.
But it hasn’t been easy. De Minaur outlasted Van de Zandschulp 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-5 and conceded 10 break points – saving them all – during a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Humbert.
Although it is never easy against De Minaur (except Sinner), almost all the lead goes to Auger-Aliassime. The 25-year-old has had this match in hand – especially indoors – and is both on fire and well rested. Moreover, the pressure is on De Minaur – even as an underdog – after he came up short twice in a row in the Rotterdam final.
Choice: Auger-Aliassime in 2
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