Taylor Fritz Defeats Alex De Minaur At ATP Finals

American Taylor Fritz overcame Australian Alex de Minaur and a first-set loss to win the first three-set match (5-7, 6-4, 6-3) at this year’s ATP Finals.  Fritz is 2-1 in round-robin play with wins over de Minaur and Daniil Medvedev and a loss to Jannik Sinner.

Fritz has not yet assured a spot in the semifinals but is close. He needs some help to get there. Taylor Fritz needs Jannik Sinner to win at least one set against Daniil Medvedev to punch his ticket to the semifinals.  He will be cheering for Sinner who has already qualified for the semifinals.  If Medvedev defeats Sinner in straight sets, Fritz will be out and Medvedev in.

Scenarios for tonight:

If Sinner d. Medvedev
1. Sinner
2. Fritz

If Medvedev d. Sinner in 2
1. Medvedev
2. Sinner

If Medvedev d. Sinner in 3
1. Sinner
2. Fritz

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) November 14, 2024

De Minaur showed the grit that has characterized his season by using his speed, serve, and shot placement to get off to a good start in the match.  It was de Minaur’s first appearance at the ATP Finals in a successful year despite struggling with a hip injury.  He also owns a winning head-to-head record against Fritz, 6-3, with the most recent win at January’s United Cup on indoor hard courts.

Exquisite Tayloring 🕴️

Fritz defeats De Minaur 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in his final Group Stage match.

He awaits Medvedev vs Sinner to determine if he advances. 👀#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/2s3RvjiPmW

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) November 14, 2024

Fritz is making his second appearance at the ATP Finals after qualifying in 2022.  Taylor Fritz has enjoyed his career-best year advancing to the finals of the US Open.

Fritz Could Face Sinner For Third Time In Two Months

Jannik Sinner will play Daniil Medvedev on Thursday night.

Sinner dominated his previous matches in Turin, not dropping a set against de Minaur or Fritz.

The hometown crowd is out in force to support the World No. 1 who won the Australian Open and US Open in 2024.  He is the best hardcourt player on the ATP Tour this year.

Can Fritz solve the Sinner puzzle should they meet later in the ATP Finals for the third time in two months?  He did not take a set off him in their two previous meetings.

WHAT A MATCH‼️

Jannik Sinner defeated Taylor Fritz in straight sets to win the 2024 #USOpen men’s final 🏆👏 pic.twitter.com/2PAZjnkC3O

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 8, 2024