De Minaur Advances to ATP Finals Semifinals After Victory Over Fritz

Post by : Mara Rahim

Alex de Minaur stepped onto the court at the Inalpi Arena, grappling with the memories of five previous defeats at the ATP Finals. The venue had felt daunting, almost disheartening for him. He acknowledged that these setbacks had taken a toll on his confidence and passion for tennis. However, this time around, he approached the match with renewed determination, ready to cast aside the fear of failure.

Facing American Taylor Fritz, De Minaur secured a 7-6(3), 6-3 victory, marking a powerful and confident display. This win was significant, not just because it eliminated Fritz from the tournament, but it also marked de Minaur's first ATP Finals victory, allowing him to advance to the semifinals in Turin for the first time in his career.

Just two days prior, de Minaur experienced a heart-wrenching loss to Lorenzo Musetti, despite having led 5-3 in the final set. That match left him in what he termed a severely dark place mentally, even feeling a moment of aversion towards the sport. Rather than succumb to despair, he resolved to enter this match equipped with a clear strategy and total commitment.

Post-match, de Minaur spoke about having found peace with any possible outcome. He was determined to maintain his playing style and to embrace any result. This shift in perspective allowed him to compete with freedom, confidence, and firm belief. He expressed that this win revitalized him, providing positive energy after a challenging season.

In an intriguing twist, de Minaur outperformed Fritz in serving, despite Fritz's reputation as one of tennis’s best servers. He won 30 of his 36 first-serve points and faced only a single break point throughout the match. His strategic use of serve-and-volley tactics at critical moments allowed him to dictate the game's pace and pressure. Even when falling to love-30 in the final game, he rallied back with an ace and a calculated net approach to conclude the match.

Fritz entered the match fatigued and in discomfort after a lengthy bout with Carlos Alcaraz earlier in the week, battling knee tendinitis that left him feeling exhausted. Against the agile de Minaur, Fritz struggled to keep pace, and his usually reliable forehand faltered, especially during the first-set tiebreak. This match concluded Fritz's 2025 season without a semifinal appearance.

Carlos Alcaraz had previously earned his spot in the semifinals by defeating Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-1, a victory that also paved the way for de Minaur's qualification. Now, de Minaur joins Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, making him only the third Australian in history to achieve this milestone, following in the footsteps of John Newcombe and Lleyton Hewitt.

De Minaur shared that the past two days transformed everything for him. The same arena that once brought him sadness is now a place for one of his career's happiest moments. He expressed pride in his bravery, aggression, and a mindset geared towards winning. This match gave him the confidence and belief that he can overcome challenges and still emerge victorious.