Alex de Minaur Opens ABN AMRO Rotterdam Campaign Against Arthur Fils

The ABN AMRO Open main draw commenced on Monday, February 9, with top seed Alex de Minaur scheduled to face France's Arthur Fils in a highly anticipated first-round encounter at Rotterdam Ahoy. The Australian world number six enters the tournament as the favorite following Carlos Alcaraz's late withdrawal, giving de Minaur an excellent opportunity to claim his first ATP 500 title of the 2026 season. The match headlined a packed opening day featuring 12 matches across the Dutch indoor hard courts. De Minaur, ranked sixth in the ATP rankings, has been in excellent form entering Rotterdam and will look to leverage his explosive court coverage and relentless baseline game against the 42nd-ranked Fils. The Australian has established himself as one of the tour's most consistent performers, known for his exceptional speed and defensive abilities. His head-to-head record against Fils favors the top seed, though the Frenchman's powerful game style presents a legitimate threat on the fast indoor surface. Arthur Fils, at just 20 years old, represents one of tennis's brightest young talents and has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the early part of 2026. The French player possesses a big serve and aggressive baseline game that could trouble de Minaur if he finds his rhythm. Fils earned his spot in the main draw and will be looking to pull off a career-defining upset against one of the tournament favorites. The indoor conditions in Rotterdam should suit his power-based game. The ABN AMRO Open features a strong field despite Alcaraz's absence, with Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alexander Bublik among the other title contenders. Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka received a wildcard entry and will look to recapture some of his best form in front of the Rotterdam crowd. The tournament offers 500 ranking points to the champion and serves as crucial preparation for the spring hard court season. Rotterdam has been a popular stop on the ATP Tour for decades, known for its enthusiastic crowds and world-class facilities. The indoor hard courts at Rotterdam Ahoy provide fast playing conditions that reward aggressive tennis and big servers. De Minaur won his previous title at this venue and will aim to defend successfully, though the competitive draw means nothing will come easily for the Australian. Beyond the de Minaur-Fils clash, Monday's schedule featured several other intriguing matchups as the tournament's top players began their campaigns. The winner of the de Minaur-Fils encounter will advance to face either a qualifier or lucky loser in the second round. With ranking points and prize money on the line, every match carries significant importance as players jockey for position ahead of the upcoming Masters 1000 events.