Alex de Minaur, making his ATP Finals debut, goals to change into the primary Australian to win the season-ending occasion in 22 years.
Turin, Italy, 9 November 2024 | Jackson Mansell
Not since Lleyton Hewitt in 2004 has an Australian featured within the singles of the ATP Finals, however that can change on Sunday.
World No.8 Alex de Minaur will break the drought in Turin, as he goals to cap off a season of perseverance on the best be aware.
The trail to victory
To affix Hewitt as the one Australians to win the distinguished year-end title, De Minaur might want to end among the many prime two in a gruelling group.
> READ MORE: De Minaur qualifies for ATP Finals in Turin
A part of the Ilie Nastase group, De Minaur will compete towards world No.1 Jannik Sinner, 2020 ATP Finals champion Daniil Medvedev, and US Open 2024 finalist Taylor Fritz.
Taking part in a round-robin format, the highest two from every group will advance to the knockout semifinal stage.
When will Demon play?
De Minaur will first step on court docket on Sunday night time native time when he battles Sinner on the primary day of competitors.
His different round-robin matches will likely be performed on Tuesday and Thursday, when he’ll face Medvedev and Fritz. It’s but to be decided what day and time he’ll play both opponent.
The group stage will conclude on Friday night time, with the semifinals being performed on Saturday 16 November and the ultimate Sunday 17 November.
How does De Minaur fare towards his opponents?
The Australian No.1 must enter uncharted territory to make a successful begin in his ATP Finals marketing campaign, given he’s but to defeat Sinner in seven makes an attempt.
Their most up-to-date encounter was on the Rotterdam Open last in February, the place the Australian Open 2024 champion received 7-5 6-4.
De Minaur has a extra promising file towards Sinner’s opponent in that Australian Open last, holding a 3-6 file towards Medvedev. De Minaur received their solely match in 2024 within the fourth spherical of Roland Garros.
Dropping the primary set, De Minaur dominated within the subsequent three units to succeed in his first Grand Slam quarterfinal since US Open 2020.
His greatest head-to-head file towards fellow group members comes towards Fritz.
De Minaur has received their previous two matches, boasting a successful 5-3 file total. Most lately, the Aussie defeated Fritz 6-4 6-2 within the group stage of the 2024 United Cup, to assist Group Australia advance to the knockout rounds.
Different Aussies in motion
De Minaur isn’t the one Aussie competing in Turin. He will likely be certainly one of 4 Aussies to function on the occasion with Jordan Thompson, Max Purcell and Matt Ebden all taking part in doubles.
READ MORE: Aussies obtain 24-year first at ATP Finals
Like De Minaur, Thompson and Purcell will make their ATP Finals debut after a dominant second half of the yr. Their triumph at Flushing Meadows, in addition to their finals look at Wimbledon, sees the pair enter the event because the fifth seeds.
As for Ebden, he’s no stranger to Inalpi Area. The world No.11 and associate Rohan Bopanna performed final yr, reaching the semifinals. The Australian Open 2024 doubles champions are ranked sixth.
Discover your method to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on court docket and have some enjoyable!
