Post by : Maya Rahman

Entering the Inalpi Arena with the shadow of five previous losses at the ATP Finals, Alex de Minaur had felt the arena's weight. These defeats had taken a toll on his confidence and enthusiasm. This time, however, he was determined to shift his mindset and discard the fear of failure.

In a strong display, de Minaur outplayed American Taylor Fritz 7-6(3), 6-3. This victory marked not just Fritz's exit from the tournament, but also gave de Minaur his inaugural ATP Finals match win, allowing him to reach the semifinals in Turin for the first time in his career.

Just two days prior, de Minaur faced a gut-wrenching loss to Lorenzo Musetti, having led 5-3 in the final set. This setback left him in a dark mental space, feeling at one point a sense of resentment towards the game. Yet, he resolved to tackle the next match with structured tactics and unwavering commitment.

Post-match, de Minaur reflected on achieving peace with whatever outcomes lay ahead. He vowed to play his brand of tennis and embrace any result. This shift in perspective invigorated his play, filling him with confidence and palpable belief. He remarked that securing this win imbued him with positive energy following a tough season.

De Minaur surprised fans by outserving Fritz, considered one of the hardest servers in tennis. He claimed 30 of 36 first-serve points and confronted just one break point throughout the match. Implementing serve-and-volley strategies at critical junctures aided him in maneuvering the pace of the game. During the final game, he showcased resilience despite falling to love-30, striking an ace and skillfully attacking the net to conclude the match.

Fritz, still reeling from fatigue and a painful knee issue stemming from a challenging match against Carlos Alcaraz earlier in the week, struggled to maintain pace against de Minaur. His normally reliable forehand faltered, particularly in the first-set tiebreak, resulting in his early exit for the season without reaching the semifinals.

Carlos Alcaraz had already affirmed his semifinal spot after defeating Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-1. This outcome also facilitated de Minaur's qualification. Now, he joins Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, becoming just the third Australian ever to reach this stage, following John Newcombe and Lleyton Hewitt.

De Minaur acknowledged that the last two days altered everything for him. The arena, which previously symbolized disappointment, transformed into a venue for one of his happiest career milestones. He expressed pride in his bravery and aggressive play, emphasizing his belief in overcoming challenges and achieving success.

#Sports News