Alex de Minaur completed a remarkable turnaround on Sunday night to claim the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open title in Washington, denying Alejandro Davidovich Fokina what would have been his first ATP Tour triumph. In a match filled with drama, emotion, and razor-thin margins, the Australian fought back from the brink of defeat, saving three championship points before sealing a 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(3) victory in front of a stunned crowd.
The contest started in favour of the Spaniard, who came into the final hungry for his maiden title. He handled De Minaur’s relentless pace and pressure with poise, matching him shot for shot before clinching the first set 7-5. At that point, it seemed like Davidovich Fokina had cracked the code to beating the gritty Australian, whose defensive brilliance is often hard to break down.
But De Minaur was far from done. The seventh seed returned in the second set with a vengeance, upping his intensity and breaking his opponent twice. The shift was immediate and decisive. Davidovich Fokina struggled to find any rhythm as De Minaur stormed through the set 6-1, forcing a decider and setting up a thrilling conclusion.
The final set was a rollercoaster. Davidovich Fokina raced to a 4-1 lead, capitalizing on a brief dip in De Minaur’s momentum. The Spaniard looked calm and composed, and when he found himself serving for the match at 5-3, the finish line was in sight. He even held three championship points during a marathon game that featured six deuces. But just when it looked like the title was his, De Minaur showcased the never-say-die attitude that has defined his career. With some fearless hitting and expert defense, he saved all three match points, broke serve, and dragged the final into a tiebreak.
Once in the breaker, the Australian didn’t flinch. He took control early and kept his foot on the gas, rattling off three quick points that proved too much for the Spaniard to recover from. As the final ball sailed long, De Minaur collapsed in joy, securing the tenth ATP title of his career and his first in Washington.
After the match, the Australian was quick to offer heartfelt words to his opponent during the trophy ceremony. He praised Davidovich Fokina’s performance and spirit, saying, “You’re way too good not to have one of these. It’s coming for sure. You deserved it today, I just got lucky. You are a hell of a competitor and a hell of a player. Nobody on tour enjoys playing you. This is just the beginning for you.”
The victory ensures that De Minaur returns to the ATP top 10, further cementing his place among the game’s elite just as the hardcourt season ramps up ahead of the US Open. As for Davidovich Fokina, the pain of the loss will linger, but his performance in Washington proved that his breakthrough moment is not a matter of if, but when.
