Alex de Minaur desperately needs a pick-me-up in what could well prove his last match of the season when he faces Taylor Fritz while still seeking his first ever victory in the ATP Finals.
Even a straight-sets triumph over the American world no.4 on Thursday may well not be enough for the dejected Australian to somehow squeeze his way into the last-four of the end-of-season championship in Turin.
But after his shattering defeat by Lorenzo Musetti when not for the first time he seemed to be in control against a high-quality opponent only to let victory slip away, a win of any sort feels imperative for the Sydneysider to bow out from 2025 with something encouraging to harbour over the close season.
