Alex de Minaur claims his first ever Nitto ATP Finals win to keep last four hopes alive and send 2024 runner-up Taylor Fritz crashing out

Alex de Minaur secured his first ever Nitto ATP Finals victory to sink Taylor Fritz and keep alive his hopes of reaching the semi-finals in Turin.

The Aussie needed to win in straight sets to have any chance and posted a 7-6(3) 6-3 triumph to prevail in one hour and 34 minutes.

The result saw Demon become the first man from his country to win a singles match at the tournament since Lleyton Hewitt finished as runner-up to Roger Federer in 2004.

It also means de Minaur will clinch a spot in the last four if the now qualified Carlos Alcaraz beats Lorenzo Musetti later tonight.

Speaking on court after writing ‘finally’ on the camera lens in the immediate aftermath of his win, de Minaur said: "I’ve dealt with a fair bit of heartbreak recently. It was good to finally get a win here in Turin.

"I’ve worked really hard, so it’s good to get a positive reward, so I'm very happy with the performance today."

Asked about his thoughts on just needing Alcaraz to defeat Musetti for him to reach the last four, he added: "Is that actually true? I don’t trust you right now!

"I’m going to have to see what happens. Ultimately, I kind of made my peace (after the nature of his previous two losses) and I came on to the court with a sort of mindset and not worrying about circumstances or the what ifs. I just focused on what I needed to do.

"Whatever happens, happens. I put my best foot forward and I’m pleased with that."

De Minaur knew there was no margin for error if he was to somehow claw his way out of the round-robin and he made a supercharged start, breaking to surge into a 3-1 lead.

Fritz came rushing back with three games in a row but had to save another break point at 5-5 before de Minaur held to force a tie-break.

The jeopardy was all on the Aussie’s side of the court and he took firm control, rampaging through the breaker by a 7-3 scoreline to seal a topsy-turvy opener in 56 minutes.

De Minaur continued his momentum into the start of the second set as he broke an error-strewn Fritz to love on his way to 3-0 lead.

The 2024 runner-up belatedly found some of his best tennis to somehow fend off match point on his own serve, but De Minuar hit back from 0-30 with a run of huge serves to serve out victory on his second opportunity.

De Minaur would love a strong start – but he doesn’t get it.

A loose forehand leaps just wide and he’s unlocked by a beauty off that flank from Taylor.

The Aussie responds with a much-needed ace and finally puts away a smash after some fine hustle from his opponent.

Demon then lands a huge wide serve to tee up a second match and the first seve seals the deal!

He will progress if Alcaraz beats Musetti later - but 2024 runner-up Fritz is OUT!

Fritz looks set to comfortably earn himself one last chance to break back but blows a 30-0 lead.

A tepid forehand into the net sums up his match and he’s worked over in the ensuing rally, allowing Demon to move forward and put away the bounce smash for match point.

A sensational exchange ensues with Demon at the net but he can’t finish it off on the volley and Taylor executes a pass to survive.

The Aussie pushes hard again but Fritz gets a slice of fortunate when forehand slice from deep clips the tape and drops over.

The American’s loopy forehand in another super rally then proves key as he forces the error into the net.

Demon must now serve for it.

It’s been a frustrating afternoon so far for Taylor.

The American works his way to 15-30 but skews a poor backhand return long and then drills a rallying ball forehand into the net.

Demon takes full advantage and races forward off a hefty serve to swat away a volley.

That’s a much better game from Taylor.

A delightful back-in-behind forehand catches Demon out and there’s no real opportunity for the Aussie as a wide ace keeps Fritz in the hunt via the hold to 15.

Demon double faults for 15-15 but outfoxes Fritz with a super range of slices that bamboozle the American and lead to him awkwardly prodding long from his laces.

The Aussie zaps down a big serve to finish off a game to 15 and continues on the path towards what could well be a place in the last four if the result goes his way later!

Fritz just about drags himself on to the board from 15-30 down.

Demon had a look at a tentative serve at 30-30 but drilled his return straight into the net.

The American then landed a clutch serve and just about remains in contention.

De Minaur has played some wonderful stuff so far today.

The Aussie makes another lovely foray forward to glide away a delicious volley and there's no real look-in for Taylor as the seventh seed consolidates with a game to 15.

Fritz opens with a wild forehand wide and is unlocked in a wonderful all-court rally as his improvised high backhand on the stretch only delays the inevitable as Demon’s fizzing forehand forces the error into the net.

The American then compounds his misery with a third unforced error of the game to break himself to love.

Demon shrugs off a double fault to keep Fritz at bay and hold to 30.

Alex de Minaur’s hopes of progressing to the last four are still alive!

The Aussie serves out the breaker by a 7-3 scoreline to box off a 56-minute first set.

Remember, he must win in straight sets to have a chance of progressing.

Demon comes roaring out of the traps, snaring an instant mini break and unleashing a supreme crosscourt forehand on his way to a 3-0 lead.

Fritz belatedly gets on the board but then drags a wayward forehand off the island.

The Aussie then despatches an overhead and looks to be firmly in control.

The jeopardy is there for de Minaur but you wouldn’t know it as he cannons a crosscourt backhand winner and lands a clutch serve to move 30-0 up.

A rasping plus-one forehand forces a shank off the American and Demon paints the lines down both flanks to finish off a game to 15.

Time for a breaker!

It’s a sloppy spell for Taylor as Demon works his way to Pulp (30-30) as a result of the American’s unforced errors.

The Aussie can’t deal with a barrage of big forehands but does get a look-in at deuce when the sixth seed loses a defensive lob in the air and smashes poorly into the net.

An injection of pace with depth off the backhand tees up a break point for ADM but Fritz retorts with a timely ace.

The American has been his own worst enemy at times with some loose play, but eventually comes up trumps with another ace to guarantee himself the minimum of a tie break.

Pressure?

What pressure?

Demon slaps an ace down the T to polish off a rapid game to 15 to quickly level late in this opener.

Taylor applies the pressure on the board with a solid hold to 30.

Demon has to win this in straight sets, so he cannot blink from here if he wants to make the last four.

Demon stops the rot as he battles back from 0-30 to claw his way level.

It feels like Fritz has the momentum now but the Aussie is still in there scrapping.

It’s a blink and you’ll miss it hold from Fritz as he sizzles a backhand down the line to complete a love game and hit the front on the board.

Ouch.

It had been going swimmingly for Demon but Fritz breeches his defences with a sweeping crosscourt forehand to earn two break back points.

The American then converts as de Minaur spews a rushed backhand wide off Taylor’s lightning return to feet.

Fritz powers into a 40-0 lead with a sweet backhand down the line but quickly unravels.

It’s a real contrast from the fabulous level he was producing against Alcaraz in his previous match.

Demon is outhitting, outmanoeuvring and outthinking him at times, a fact exemplified by the Aussie coming out on top in a delicious cat and mouse.

Taylor eventually resets at deuce but even then he’s careless with a smash and is relieved that Alex’s defensive lob drops just long.