De Minaur Bounces Back From 'dark Place' To Keep Atp Finals Bid Alive

Alex de Minaur recovered from "a acheronian place" to support live his hopes of progressing astatine nan ATP Finals, while confirming Carlos Alcaraz's spot successful nan knockout stages successful Turin.

Requiring a straight-set triumph to stay successful contention, Australia's De Minaur ended American sixth seed Taylor Fritz's tourney pinch an awesome 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 win.

Spain's Alcaraz faces Lorenzo Musetti successful nan last lucifer successful nan Jimmy Connors Group later connected Thursday, erstwhile Italian Musetti will activity to contradict De Minaur qualification for nan semi-finals.

Although already qualified, Alcaraz will beryllium highly motivated to execute a 3rd consecutive triumph - not only to apical nan group, but to besides guarantee nan year-end world number 1 ranking.

De Minaur will beryllium among those consenting Alcaraz to triumph aft maintaining his liking successful nan season-ending title contempt opening pinch back-to-back defeats.

The 26-year-old was reluctant to spot nan news that he would suffice pinch an Alcaraz triumph erstwhile he was initially informed successful his post-match interview.

De Minaur had mislaid his past 16 matches against apical 10 players, and each of nan 5 matches he had antecedently played astatine nan ATP Finals.

A achy conclusion by Musetti connected Tuesday, successful which De Minaur held a 5-3 lead successful nan deciding group earlier losing 4 consecutive games to concede nan match, had rocked his confidence.

But, against an force whom he had mislaid nan 2 erstwhile meetings, De Minaur reset mentally to nutrient an inspired show against Fritz.

"It intends a lot. A mates of days agone I was successful a beautiful acheronian place," De Minaur told Sky Sports.

"More than anything, I consciousness proud of my efforts. Not for conscionable coming retired and winning, but besides nan mindset. I made bid pinch what had happened and conscionable committed."

Speaking successful his post-match interview, he said connected court: "I've dealt pinch a adjacent spot of heartbreak recently.

"I've worked really hard, truthful it was bully to get a affirmative reward for that.

"[The nonaccomplishment to Musetti] was a reliable pill to swallow. I didn't overthink today, I conscionable went retired and committed to what I needed to do. I continued to backmost myself and, whether it worked aliases it didn't, I was going to time off it each retired location today."