Alex de Minaur has become the first player in over a decade to win consecutive titles at the Mexican Open after beating Casper Ruud in straight sets.
The Australian world No.9 dropped his serve only once en route to a 6-4, 6-4, victory over the three-time Grand Slam finalist. De Minaur managed to take control of the final with the help of 28 winners which was more than three times that of his opponent (eight). He also won 67% of his first service points and broke Ruud three times.
“It’s been an amazing week,” said De Minaur, who also beat Jack Draper and Stefanos Tsitsipas earlier in the tournament. “Probably a week I didn’t really expect if I’m honest. I came into Mexico not feeling my best and just kept on telling myself to keep giving myself chances. I think today I played my best match of the tournament, so I’m extremely happy with that.”
It is the first time the 25-year-old has defended a title on the ATP Tour. The triumph has ensured that he will remain in the ATP top 10 on Monday when the standings are updated. He is also the first player to have won the Mexican Open in consecutive years since its surface was changed from clay to hardcourt in 2014.
“Acapulco has been a very good place to me for my tennis career,” he said. “The first time I won a 500, and [now] the first time I’ve defended a title in my career. I feel at home here and it’s a great place to be.”
De Minaur enters the upcoming North American swing having won 15 out of 19 matches played so far this season. He is the only player in 2024 to have reached multiple ATP 500 finals after Rotterdam, where he lost in the title match to Jannik Sinner.
Meanwhile, Ruud’s hunt for his first 500 title goes on. Despite being a former world No.2 and Grand Slam runner-up, the Norweigan is yet to win a tournament about 250 level.
“Fantastic playing all week, too good tonight, too good every night,” Ruud said to De Minaur during the trophy ceremony. “It seems like you are playing in Acapulco quite well and I guess you will come back next year. I hope not, but I’m sure you will!”
De Minaur has now won eight ATP titles so far in his career with seven of those being on a hardcourt.
