27-year-old Pole Hubert Hurkacz breezed through his Rotterdam opener, serving seven aces and winning 85% of his first-serve points to down Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-2.
2025 ATP Tour
ATP 500
ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament (Rotterdam Open)
Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands (Indoor Hardcourt)
Selected Round of 16 Matches- 5th-6th February
5th February
Hubert Hurkacz (8) (5/4) vs Jiri Lehecka (62/100)
27-year-old Pole Hubert Hurkacz breezed through his Rotterdam opener, serving seven aces and winning 85% of his first-serve points to down Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-2. It was a strong recovery form Hurkacz after a lacklustre 2nd round exit at the Aussie Open (though he was instrumental in Poland reaching a 2nd successive United Cup final). Hurkacz enjoyed a consistent 2024 campaign, compiling a 40-19 record despite a lack of eye-catching results. He won only one title last year (a first clay-court title in Estoril). He obviously wasn’t delighted with his progress in the bigger events, splitting with longtime coach Craig Boynton at the end of last year. Now coached by the duo of Nicolas Massu and Ivan Lendl, Hurkacz is clearly looking to become a more consistent threat in Grand Slam tennis. The big-serving Pole is a Bonafide indoor threat, winning two indoor titles whilst finishing runner-up at the 2023 Swiss Indoors. Moreover, the Pole has produced strong showings in the most elite indoor events, reaching the semifinal stage at the 2021 Paris Masters and ATP Finals.
I truly believe that 23-year-old Czech Jiri Lehecka has what it takes to become a consistent top ten player. He is a real physical specimen, possessing a juggernaut forehand and a reliable backhand wing. He will, however, need his serve to become more reliable in the upcoming years. The big-hitting Czech enjoyed a breakthrough 2024 campaign, winning a maiden title at the Adelaide International. He also showed off his burgeoning indoor skills, finishing runner-up at the European Open in Antwerp. And he is on a bit of a heater this year, winning his 2nd title in Brisbane before falling to Djokovic in the 4th round of the Aussie Open. He improved his 2024 record to 9-1 with an opening straight-sets win over Alexei Popyrin (bringing up a 52nd indoor victory in his young career). Lehecka is starting to look the part and will go into this brutal battle with plenty of momentum behind him.
The Verdict: Lehecka to win in straight sets at 16/10- Hurkacz leads the head-to-head 1-0, surviving an epic three-set thriller in this event last year. I really think that Lehecka has what it takes to take down the Pole. The Czech is a strong returner who won’t be overawed by Hurkacz’s massive serve. Hurkacz hasn’t reached a hardcourt semifinal since last year’s Open 13 (perhaps he is guilty of being a bit one-dimensional).
6th February
Alex de Minaur (3) (41/100) vs Jakub Mensik (37/20)
‘Speed Demon’ Alex de Minaur bounced back from his humbling Aussie Open quarterfinal defeat to Jannik Sinner with a straightforward opening round win over David Goffin. The Aussie was in typically pugnacious mood against the Belgian, breaking three times in a high-octane showing. The current World No.8 has been a model of consistency, reaching the last four consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinals (also reaching seven ATP finals in the last two years). He has proven himself to be an adroit indoor operator, picking up three runner-up finishes in his career. He was exceptional in this event last year, going down to archnemesis Jannik Sinner in the final. He is an ultra-competitive guy who wants to eke out every last drop of performance from his frame. But there is a possibility that he may have maxed out at Grand Slam level (I personally don’t think he has the necessary firepower to go consistently beyond the quarterfinal stage). Still, his sheer athleticism will always make him a threat on these quicker indoor surfaces (there are few- if any- who can reach as many balls as he does).
19-year-old Jakub Mensik is yet another exciting prospect from the Czech tennis conveyor belt. He burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old, reaching the 3rd round of the 2023 US Open. The 19-year-old has evolved from that moment, reaching his maiden ATP Tour final in Doha last year. He would ultimately qualify for the season-ending NextGen Finals and would go on to secure the coveted Newcomer of the Year award. He has started this season in spritely fashion, reaching back-to-back quarterfinals in Brisbane and Auckland. He then imploded at the Aussie Open, surrendering a two-set lead in his 3rd round clash with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Standing at 6’4”, the imposing Czech possesses a massive serve and dynamic forehand. He looked completely at ease in his Rotterdam opener, seeing off indoor specialist Alexander Bublik 6-4,6-4. He served brilliantly against the Kazakh, firing 10 aces and winning 88% of his first-serve points.
The Verdict: De MInaur to win in three at 26/10- The Aussie leads the Czech 1-0 in their head-to-head meetings, coming from behind to win- on indoor hardcourts- in Vienna last year. This should be a closely fought affair, with Mensik looking to overpower the Aussie from the baseline. De Minaur is a strong counterpuncher who isn’t afraid of creating his own power these days. Ultimately, I think de Minaur’s experience should see him over the line here.
