Alex de Minaur Captures Dramatic Washington Open Title in Epic Comeback
Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur delivered one of the most thrilling comebacks of the 2025 season, saving three championship points to defeat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(3) and claim his 10th ATP Tour title at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open on Sunday.Alex de Minaur Captures Dramatic Washington Open Title in Epic Comeback
A Match for the Ages
The final was a rollercoaster of emotions that showcased both players’ resilience and fighting spirit. After Davidovich Fokina took the opening set 7-5, de Minaur responded emphatically, smashing the Spaniard 6-1 in just 30 minutes in the second set to force a decider.
The drama reached its peak in the third set when Davidovich Fokina held a commanding 5-3 lead and later served for the title at 5-4. The Spaniard held three championship points, but de Minaur’s never-say-die attitude shone through in the most crucial moments.
De Minaur was just 16 millimetres from defeat on his opponent’s third match point, but a desperate lob clipped the sideline and helped him turn the point and the match around. The Australian’s incredible court coverage and fighting spirit were on full display as he saved all three championship points before forcing a tiebreak, which he won 7-3.
Historical Significance and Personal Triumph
This victory holds special meaning for de Minaur, who has a unique connection to the Washington tournament. The Australian previously reached the 2018 Washington final at age 19, where he saved four match points against Andrey Rublev but ultimately lost to Alexander Zverev. Reflecting on his comeback, de Minaur said, “It’s something about this court. I did it in 2018 against Rublev and honestly, I just kind of knew I could do it”.
“This is a special tournament, it’s one that’s close to my heart,” the 2025 Washington Open champion said, adding that he joins an esteemed group of Australians who have triumphed in Washington, including Ken Rosewall, Tony Roche, Lleyton Hewitt and Nick Kyrgios.
The title represents de Minaur’s first ATP crown in over a year, since s-Hertogenbosch in June 2024, and elevates him to world No.8, his highest ranking in nearly three months.
Sportsmanship and Heartbreak
Beyond the tennis, the match will be remembered for a touching moment of sportsmanship. For Davidovich Fokina, who was seeking his first ATP Tour title, it marked a cruel blow after missing out on two championship points in Delray Beach in February and losing the Acapulco final in March. The Spaniard broke down in tears after his fourth consecutive ATP final defeat, bringing his record in finals to 0-4.
De Minaur sat beside his devastated opponent on the bench, consoling him and later stating during the trophy ceremony, “You deserved it today”. The Australian’s words of encouragement continued: “You’re way too good to not have one of these [trophies]. It’s coming for sure… This is not the end, this is only going up for you”.
Season Dominance and Looking Ahead
At the conclusion of the event, both players lead the ATP Tour in hard-court wins in 2025 and stand among the top five in total match wins this season, with de Minaur recording 35 victories and Davidovich Fokina 32. De Minaur improved to a Tour-leading 21 hard-court wins on the season and has the most wins at the ATP 500 level (41) since the start of the 2023 season.
The Australian hopes to carry this momentum into the Toronto Masters, where he seeks his first-career ATP Masters title, before turning attention to the US Open later this summer.
This Washington Open triumph showcased everything that makes de Minaur special – his incredible speed and court coverage that earned him the nickname “Speed Demon,” his fighting spirit, and perhaps most importantly, his class and sportsmanship in victory. It was a fitting way to capture his milestone 10th ATP title and return to the world’s top 10.