Alex de Minaur secured his tenth ATP title in Washington. The Aussie earned a memorable 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 victory over his coeval, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in three hours and three minutes!
The Spaniard had everything in his hands while chasing his first ATP title. He led 5-2 in the decider and served for the win at 5-3. He got broken, missed three match points on the return at 5-4 and suffered a heartbreaking loss that left him in tears.
The Aussie claimed 11 points more thanks to the second set. He played better behind the first serve and took the pivotal points to emerge at the top after a thriller.
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Alex denied five of eight break points, including those three match points. He secured four breaks from nine chances, two in the second set. They sprayed over 100 unforced errors.
De Minaur had the upper hand in service winners, from the baseline and at the net, earning his victory in style. They stayed neck and neck in the shortest and mid-range exchanges, and the better-ranked player made the difference in the most extended ones.
They battled for over an hour in the opening set. They traded breaks in games three and four and stayed neck and neck until 5-5. The Aussie missed a game point in game 11 and suffered a break after a backhand error.
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Davidovich Fokina saved a break point at 6-5 and wrapped up the first part of the duel with a smash winner. De Minaur took charge in the second set, serving well and keeping the pressure on the other side.
He secured an early break in the second game and provided another break for 5-1. Alex fired an ace in the seventh game, closing the set in style and forcing a decider after an hour and 42 minutes.
Alejandro stepped in and produced four fine holds. He attacked on the return in game four and landed a backhand crosscourt winner for a break and a 3-1 advantage. The Spaniard held in game seven and moved 5-2 in front.
However, he failed to serve out for the title at 5-3, spraying a forehand error and allowing his rival to extend the battle. De Minaur faced the ultimate challenge on his serve at 4-5 after squandering game points.
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The Aussie played against three match points, denying two with winners and the third with a forced error. He held for 5-5 and gained a boost ahead of the tie break. They traded four mini-breaks i the opening seven points.
Alejandro missed a forehand at 3-4 and experienced another mini-break after netting a routine forehand. De Minaur seized the first match point at 6-3 with an ace, sealing the deal and lifting his tenth ATP trophy after a turnaround.
