Carlos Alcaraz lifts Vienna Open trophy with commanding win over De Minaur

Vienna: Seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz beat Alex de Minaur 6-1, 6-4 to win the Vienna Open on Sunday, defeating his opponent for the seventh time in as many meetings.

Alcaraz has beaten the Australian on grass and clay, as well as on indoor and outdoor hard courts.

He sealed his latest victory in trademark style.

Alcaraz drew his opponent to the net with a sliced backhand drop shot. De Minaur retrieved it, but Alcaraz lobbed him with a backhand. After the Australian volleyed the shot back near the net, Alcaraz clipped a cross-court forehand that landed just inside the line.

The second-seeded Spaniard looked jubilant and broke into a broad smile after clinching his fourth title of the year — including the Australian Open, which completed his career Grand Slam — and his 28th overall.

The fifth-seeded De Minaur was seeking his second title of the year.

He advanced to the final of the ATP 500 event with a semifinal victory over Alexander Zverev, who will rise to the top of the rankings on Monday. Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev in the other semifinal.