Imagine matching a tennis legend's record at just 25 years old. That's exactly what Alex de Minaur has done, equaling Roger Federer's feat of reaching the quarter-finals in five consecutive years at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam. But here's where it gets even more intriguing: can de Minaur finally claim the title that has eluded him in the past two finals?
On February 12, 2026, the top-seeded Australian delivered a masterclass, dispatching 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 6-2 in a commanding performance. This victory not only secured his fifth straight quarter-final appearance but also tied him with Federer, a three-time champion, for the most consecutive quarter-final showings in tournament history.
De Minaur, a finalist in the last two editions of this ATP 500 event, has amassed an impressive 15 wins—more than any other player in this year’s field. Against Wawrinka, the world No. 8 showcased his relentless consistency, forcing the 40-year-old Swiss veteran into errors with his precise ballstriking. This win improved de Minaur’s head-to-head record against Wawrinka to 2-0, further cementing his dominance.
Since 2023, de Minaur has racked up 50 victories at ATP 500 events, including title wins in Acapulco (2023, 2024) and Washington (2025). Now, he’s laser-focused on breaking his Rotterdam title drought. Next up? A showdown with Botic van de Zandschulp, who stunned 2022 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-6(4) to reach his first-ever quarter-final in Rotterdam. Van de Zandschulp’s victory marks him as the fourth active Dutchman to make it to the last eight at this prestigious event.
Meanwhile, Ugo Humbert and Jaume Munar also booked their spots in the quarter-finals on Thursday. Humbert followed up his upset win over Daniil Medvedev with a 6-4, 6-3 victory against Guy Den Ouden, while Munar pulled off a thrilling three-set comeback against fifth seed Karen Khachanov, winning 7-6(8), 3-6, 6-3.
But here’s the controversial question: Is de Minaur’s consistency enough to finally secure the Rotterdam title, or will the pressure of matching Federer’s legacy become his Achilles’ heel? And what about Van de Zandschulp—is he the dark horse ready to spoil de Minaur’s party? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
