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Alex de Minaur has added a second title to his stellar 2024 season when the top-seeded Australian dispatched Sebastian Korda 6-2, 6-4 to triumph at the Libema Open at Rosmalen in the Netherlands.
De Minaur produced trademark elite defence and counterpunching to nullify Korda's power on the 's-Hertogenbosch grass.
With his ninth ATP Tour title safely in his kit bag, the 25-year-old will rise two spots to a career-high No.7 in the PIF ATP Rankings today.
"It achieves a new career-high for me, so that's always a great little bonus," de Minaur said in his on-court interview.
"My first week on grass couldn't have gone any better, so I'm looking forward to next week at Queen's and the whole grass-court season with a smile on my face. I'm glad I was able to get a win here in Holland."
De Minaur, who reached the French Open quarterfinals before losing in straight sets to Alexander Zverev, was runner-up to Carlos Alcarez last year at Queen's, the traditional lead-in to Wimbledon.
Competing as the top seed at an ATP Tour event for the first time this week, de Minaur did not drop a set en route to the title at the Dutch grasscourt ATP 250.
Against Korda, he reeled off six straight games from 2-2 to seize control of the match. De Minaur ultimately prevailed after breaking his opponent's serve three times in the second set.
"Obviously it was a great match. Tricky conditions, and Seb is a hell of a player," de Minaur said.
"I'm looking forward to playing doubles with him next week at Queen's. I'm super happy with the week. It's been great. Happy days."
De Minaur converted five of 14 break points he earned in the final and the Australian now holds a 33-11 record for the year.
Having also defended his title at the ATP 500 in Acapulco in February, this year marks the third time he has won multiple tour-level crowns in one season.
There was also joy for de Minaur's girlfriend, British No.1 Katie Boulter, who retained her Rothesay Open title by beating Karolina Pliskova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in Nottingham.
"I'm not sure if I'm dreaming or this just happened," Boulter said.
"This place has a special place in my heart and it has been an incredible week for me."
AAP
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