Alex de Minaur fell short against Lorenzo Musetti in a three-set thriller at the ATP Finals.
The Australian star served for the match against Musetti, but couldn’t quite get over the line, as he lost in a deciding set, 5-7, 6-3, 5-7.
He is now 0-2 in the Jimmy Connors Group, and will need several results to go his way if he is to make his way through to the last four of the ATP Finals.
Following his latest defeat, De Minaur looked visibly upset, as he lost yet another match at the year-end finals.
During commentary for Sky Sports, Jonathan Overend shared what is being said about De Minaur behind the scenes.
Jonathan Overend says he’s heard that Alex de Minaur is in a ‘very dark place’
The Brit shared what someone who has spent time with De Minaur told him recently.
“I spoke to someone this morning who spent a bit of time with him last evening and reported that he was in a very dark place,” said Overend.
“I suppose it’s one thing making the top 10 as the result of your efforts on Tour and match wins, but you have to feel like you belong there in terms of results against your big rivals, and Alex [De Minaur] just simply isn’t able to do that.”
De Minaur has a poor record against top 10 players, and that’s shown at the ATP Finals.
In two appearances, De Minaur has yet to win a match at the year-end championships (0-5).
Alex de Minaur’s poor record at the ATP Finals
| Match | Opponent | Result | Score |
| 2024 ATP Finals – RR | Jannik Sinner | LOSS | 3-6, 4-6 |
| 2024 ATP Finals – RR | Daniil Medvedev | LOSS | 2-6, 4-6 |
| 2024 ATP Finals – RR | Taylor Fritz | LOSS | 7-5, 4-6, 3-6 |
| 2025 ATP Finals – RR | Carlos Alcaraz | LOSS | 6-7, 2-6 |
| 2025 ATP Finals – RR | Lorenzo Musetti | LOSS | 5-7, 6-3, 5-7 |
Former American doubles star Ryan Harrison proceeded to weigh in with his thoughts on De Minaur’s ATP Finals struggles.
“That is his biggest goal now, to find a way to push into that top, top tier,” he said.
“He is in the top tier already, in the final eight, but I’m referring to the guys who are winning these tournaments. Winning matches at this level.
“He has never won a match at the ATP Finals or found a way through that.
“It was on his mind as he was trying to close things out in the third set, and you could see in his reaction afterwards how he is expressively in a dark place after that one.
“He does have a chance to try and get right, one more match in the group stages here.”
De Minaur does indeed have one more chance, as he prepares to take on Taylor Fritz in his final group stage game.
How Alex de Minaur can qualify for the ATP Finals semifinals
Due to the event’s format, despite losing his first two matches, De Minaur can still qualify for the semifinals.
| Rank | Name | Record | Sets (W-L) | Games (W-L) |
| 1 | Carlos Alcaraz | 2-0 | 4-1 | 32-23 |
| 2 | Taylor Fritz | 1-1 | 3-2 | 27-26 |
| 3 | Lorenzo Musetti | 1-1 | 2-3 | 24-28 |
| 4 | Alex de Minaur | 0-2 | 1-4 | 24-30 |
If either of the following two scenarios occur, De Minaur will finish second in the group and advance to the last four.
- Carlos Alcaraz defeats Lorenzo Musetti in two sets, and Alex de Minaur defeats Taylor Fritz in two sets
- Carlos Alcaraz defeats Lorenzo Musetti in three sets, and Alex de Minaur defeats Taylor Fritz in two sets
For De Minaur, the job is simple: Beat Fritz, and do it quickly!
But has the Aussie ever picked up a straight-sets win over the American star?
Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz’s head-to-head record
| Match | Tier | Surface | Result |
| 2018 Next Gen Finals – RR | Next Gen Finals | Hard | De Minaur in three |
| 2019 Atlanta Open – F | ATP 250 | Hard | De Minaur in two |
| 2019 Swiss Indoors – 2R | ATP 500 | Hard | De Minaur in two |
| 2021 US Open – 1R | Grand Slam | Hard | Fritz in four |
| 2022 Indian Wells – 4R | Masters 1000 | Hard | Fritz in three |
| 2022 Eastbourne International – SF | ATP 250 | Grass | Fritz in three |
| 2023 Canadian Open – 3R | Masters 1000 | Hard | De Minaur in three |
| 2024 United Cup – RR | United Cup | Hard | De Minaur in two |
| 2024 ATP Finals – RR | ATP Finals | Hard | Fritz in three |
| 2024 Davis Cup – QF | Davis Cup | Hard | Fritz in two |
De Minaur has beaten Fritz in two sets three times previously, doing so most recently at last year’s United Cup.
Only time will tell if he can do the same in 2025 and qualify for the semifinals in Turin.
De Minaur will play Fritz on Thursday, November 13, in the day session.
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