Alex de Minaur passes early Arthur Fels test in Rotterdam’s latest title bid ATP Tour
Rotterdam
De Minaur passes Fils test in latest Rotterdam title race
The top seed awaits Vukic or Wawrinka; Grikspur and Struff also advance
February 10, 2026
Alyssa Van Heest
Alex de Minaur leads the Tour in ATP 500 wins since the start of the 2023 season.
Written by ATP Staff
Can Alex de Minaur finally break through at the ABN Amro Rotterdam Open this year?
The top-seeded Australian faced an immediate challenge from slugger Arthur Fells on Tuesday, but he passed the test with a clinical victory 7-6(3), 6-2. After finishing runner-up at the 2024 and 2025 indoor hard-court ATP 500 events, De Minaur immediately reminded the field why he is the player to beat this week.
“It’s never going to be easy. I told myself I’m ready to fight, ready for the challenge and excited for it,” De Minaur said of his clash with Fiers, who was fighting in his second fight since recovering from an eight-month back injury. “I haven’t had a lot of easy races this year and I’m looking at this as a challenge and I’m enjoying it. It pushes me to be ready from the first point.”
De Minaur will next face either Aleksandar Vukic or 2015 Rotterdam champion Stan Wawrinka, who is playing his final season on tour. The PIF ATP Ranking No. 8 also extended his lead with the most ATP 500 wins since the start of the 2023 season.
ATP 500 wins leader (starting 2023 season)
Earlier, seventh seed Tallon Griekspoor delighted the home crowd with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The 29-year-old notched his 11th win in Rotterdam, tying him with Tom Okker for the fourth-most wins by a Dutch player in the tournament’s history.
According to Infosys ATP statistics, Grixpo saved all six break points he faced against Mpetshi Perricard and hit 10 aces. He will next face Quentin Halys, who defeated 18-year-old home qualifier Mees Rottgering 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 in one hour and 54 minutes.
Jan-Lennard Struff improved to 2-0 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head Series with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over French qualifier Hugo Grenier in just 64 minutes. It was Straff’s second tour-level victory this season after Germany defeated Juan Pablo Varillas in a 4-0 Davis Cup tie against Peru. Struff awaits Hubert Hekatz or third-seeded Alexander Bublik in the second round.
