In Turin, Italy, Alex de Minaur pulled off a win that keeps his hopes alive at the ATP Finals. The Aussie beat American Taylor Fritz 7‑6(3), 6‑3 in the Jimmy Connors group, sending the United States team into the group‑stage exit early.
De Minaur had a tough start to the tournament, losing to Lorenzo Musetti in a three‑set thriller the night before. With a record of 1‑2, he knew he had to beat Fritz in straight sets to stay in the race for a semifinal spot. He did just that, earning his first top‑10 win of the season outside a team event.
“I’ve dealt with a lot of heartbreak lately, so it was good to finally get a win here in Turin,” he said after the match. “I have worked really hard, so it’s great to see that reward.”
The seventh‑seeded Australian stayed nerveful on his serve and pushed the set‑point in the second game to match point, then survived Fritz’s effort to lock in the set. De Minaur’s granite focus was a stark contrast to his earlier loss to Musetti, when nerves slipped. The crowd cheered his celebration after the victory, a symbolic lift after 40 grueling hours in the tournament.
The result leaves De Minaur’s fate tied to Carlos Alcaraz, the world number‑one, who must beat Musetti on Thursday to lock a semifinal berth for both Alcaraz and De Minaur. Musetti would then move into the final four if he defeats Alcaraz. Fritz, now 1‑2 in the group, is out of the tournament.
Fritz, who reached the final last year, had beaten Musetti in his opening match but fell to Alcaraz. The 28‑year‑old struggled on his early serve and made 33 unforced errors, dropping his first‑serve win rate to 67 percent – behind his 84 percent vs Musetti and 71 percent vs Alcaraz.
At season’s end, tennis analysts noted Fritz’s 53‑23 record, with titles on grass at Eastbourne and Stuttgart. De Minaur’s win in Turin not only keeps him alive but also boosts his confidence as the ATP Finals draw tightens.
The headline moment: De Minaur’s straight‑sets win over Fritz means his Olympic‑final‑style rallying can still carry Australia forward, dependent now on other match outcomes in the Jimmy Connors group.
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