ATP Finals: De Minaur Defeats Fritz In Turin, Needs Alcaraz To Beat Musetti To Reach Semis

ATP Finals: De Minaur defeats Fritz in Turin, needs Alcaraz to beat Musetti to reach semis (Image Source: IANS)

Jimmy Connors Group: Australia's Alex de Minaur defeated American Taylor Fritz in a group match to keep alive his chances of advancing in the ATP Finals. De Minaur defeated Fritz 7-6(3), 6-3 to end the American's hopes in the Jimmy Connors group, though his own chances now depend on other results in the group.

De Minaur had suffered a heartbreaking three-set defeat to Lorenzo Musetti on Tuesday night and knew he would have to overcome Fritz in straight sets if he were to have any chance of reaching the semifinals at the prestigious year-end event.

The Australian achieved his part of the bargain and will now need World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz to beat Musetti to ensure he secures a semifinal spot.

In an impressive, attacking display, de Minaur dominated against a nervy Fritz to end the round-robin stage holding a 1-2 record. If Alcaraz, who has now qualified, beats Musetti later on Thursday, de Minaur will join the Spaniard in the semifinals. Musetti will qualify for the last-four stage with a victory against Alcaraz. Last year’s finalist, Fritz, also went 1-2 in the round-robin phase but is out.

"I have dealt with a fair bit of heartbreak recently, so it was good to finally get a win here in Turin," said de Minaur after earning his first Top 10 win of the season outside team events. "I have worked really hard, so it was good to get some positive feedback or a positive reward for the hard work, so I am very happy with the performance."

The seventh seed de Minaur had the chance to seal victory on Fritz’s serve at 2-5 when he moved to match point. The American held, but unlike on Tuesday night against Musetti, De Minaur kept his nerve on serve to triumph. Following his win, he raised his fist in celebration to the crowd, a stark contrast to the scenes just 40 hours earlier in the Inalpi Arena.

"I have dealt with a fair bit of heartbreak recently, so it was good to finally get a win here in Turin," said de Minaur after earning his first Top 10 win of the season outside team events. "I have worked really hard, so it was good to get some positive feedback or a positive reward for the hard work, so I am very happy with the performance."

Fritz ends the season holding a 53-23 record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. The American won titles on grass in Eastbourne and Stuttgart.

Article Source: IANS