Carlos Alcaraz claimed the first indoor title of his career as he beat Alex de Minaur in an intense three-set final at the Rotterdam Open.

Alcarez, who was playing in his first tournament since losing to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarter-finals last month, won the first set 6-4 but was then broken in his first service game of the second as De Minaur went on to level things up at 6-3.

The match then went with serve in the third set until the sixth game when Alcaraz took what proved a decisive break to go 4-2 up, Holding serve in the following game, he then broke his Australian opponent again to take the third set 6-2 and secure his first title of the season.

The win marks the 17th title of the 21-year-old Alcaraz’s nascent career and a first for the reigning Wimbledon and French Open champion since last October’s China Open.

Alcaraz, who had already been taken to three sets by both world No 84 Botic van de Zandschulp in his first match of the week and then Hubert Hurkacz in Saturday’s semi-final, thanked his team for helping him through the tournament as he battled against the effects of a cold.

“This week has been a really good week,” he said.

“Coming here with, let’s say, not feeling 100 per cent well with the cold but after every day I’m feeling better and better thanks to you [his team].”

De Minaur has yet to beat Alcaraz in three meetings on tour.

“Congratulations, man. Too good again,” said de Minaur to Alcaraz during the trophy presentations.

“You’re an incredible person, we have known each other for a very long time, we have always had some fun battles and I enjoyed my time very much on the court today.

“Thank you and well done for the week.”

Defeat in the Rotterdam final was also the Australian’s second in succession after the 25-year-old lost in straight sets to world No 1 Jannik Sinner last year.

“It’s been two years now with this runner-up trophy, I’m hoping I get my hand on the winners’ one day!” De Minaur declared.

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