Alex de Minaur Blazes Into Washington Final with Ruthless Rout of Corentin Moutet…Read More…
Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur delivered a masterclass in precision, speed, and power on Saturday night, dismantling Frenchman Corentin Moutet in a one-sided semifinal clash at the Citi Open in Washington D.C. With a breathtaking performance that lasted just over an hour, de Minaur sent a clear message to his rivals: he is here not just to play, but to dominate.
The 26-year-old Aussie cruised past Moutet with a clinical 6-1, 6-2 victory, securing his spot in the Washington final for the second time in his career. From the opening rally to the final point, de Minaur was locked in—his trademark foot speed and relentless groundstrokes breaking down every facet of Moutet’s usually unpredictable game.
A Start That Set the Tone
Right from the outset, de Minaur imposed his tempo. Breaking Moutet’s serve in the opening game, he never looked back. Moutet, who had played inspired tennis throughout the week, including a thrilling quarterfinal win over American hope Sebastian Korda, appeared flat-footed and overwhelmed by the Aussie’s aggressive play and unwavering consistency.
De Minaur’s serve was on point, landing 73% of his first serves in and winning over 85% of those points. More impressively, he didn’t face a single break point in the match—an indication of just how locked in he was with his service games.
“The game plan was simple—be aggressive, stay solid, and take time away from Corentin,” de Minaur said after the match. “He’s a really crafty player who likes to throw you off your rhythm, but I didn’t give him that chance tonight.”
Moutet’s Magic Missing
Corentin Moutet, known for his flair, creativity, and emotional on-court displays, simply could not find his rhythm against the relentless Aussie. His usual variety—drop shots, lobs, and angles—were neutralized by de Minaur’s speed and anticipation.
Frustration began to creep in early. After falling behind 0-3 in the first set, Moutet slammed his racket into the ground, drawing a code violation. The Frenchman looked increasingly deflated as the match progressed, struggling with both his first serve percentage and unforced errors. By the end of the night, he had racked up 24 unforced errors—more than double de Minaur’s tally.
“I tried to mix it up, but Alex was just too good today,” Moutet admitted in the post-match press conference. “He gave me no breathing space, no time to think, and no room to play my game. It was a tough lesson.”
De Minaur’s Best Yet?
This may well have been one of the cleanest performances of de Minaur’s career. Known affectionately as “The Demon” for his gritty playing style and fighting spirit, he showcased a more mature and confident version of himself—one that not only chases down every ball but also dictates play from the baseline.
With each match, he has looked more composed, striking the ball earlier and with greater authority. His backhand down the line was a particular weapon against Moutet, drawing gasps from the crowd and often leaving the Frenchman stranded.
“I’ve been working really hard on adding more weapons to my game,” de Minaur said. “I want to be known not just for my speed, but also for being aggressive and taking the initiative in rallies.”
Eyes on the Title — and More
Now into his third ATP final of the year, de Minaur is eyeing his first Washington title and a crucial momentum boost heading into the North American hardcourt swing, which culminates with the US Open.
Awaiting him in the final will be either American No.1 Taylor Fritz or Canadian powerhouse Félix Auger-Aliassime—both capable of bringing firepower to challenge de Minaur’s foot speed and baseline stability.
While de Minaur remains cautious about looking too far ahead, there’s no denying his form is peaking at the perfect time.
“These are the weeks you train for,” he said. “I’m feeling great physically and mentally. I’ve been on tour long enough to know that you have to make the most of these moments. Tomorrow is another battle, and I’ll be ready.”
Crowd Favorite
The crowd at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center has embraced de Minaur with open arms. His relentless energy, respectful demeanor, and engaging style have made him a fan favorite this week in Washington.
“He runs like a cheetah and hits like a lion,” joked one fan, holding a sign that read ‘Fear the Demon’. “He’s not just a grinder anymore—he’s a real contender.”
As de Minaur prepares for the final, fans and analysts alike are wondering: could this be the week he adds another ATP 500 title to his growing resume?
Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain—Alex de Minaur has sent a loud message to the tennis world with his ruthless demolition of Corentin Moutet: he is playing the best tennis of his life, and he’s coming for more.
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