Carlos Alcaraz will contest his first indoor final at the Rotterdam Open, having beaten Hubert Hurkacz in a three-set semi-final to set a date with Alex de Minaur. (More Tennis News)
Alcaraz was pushed hard by the Pole but ultimately emerged a 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 victor after two hours and 23 minutes.
The four-time grand slam champion almost found himself 0-4 down in the opening set, saving a break point to avoid giving up the double-break, then reeling off five straight games to inch ahead.
However, Hurkacz refused to go away in the second set, with both players serving well after a back-and-forth first game on the Pole's serve.
Alcaraz double faulted after taking the first mini break of the tie-break, and Hurkacz punished him to level things up.
But Alcaraz responded tremendously, winning 12 of the first 13 points played in the decider, and just a single break was enough to get him over the line.
He will face third seed De Minaur in Sunday's showpiece match, after the Australian ended Mattia Bellucci's dream run at the semi-final stage earlier on Saturday.
Data Debrief: Firsts on the horizon for Alcaraz
Alcaraz is hoping to clinch his first indoor title on the ATP Tour on Sunday, and he could also become the first Spaniard to win the Rotterdam Open since it was founded in 1974.
He holds a 2-0 record in head-to-head meetings with De Minaur, with their last clash also coming in a final – a 6-4 6-4 win for Alcaraz at Queen's in 2023.
