Alex de Minaur has achieved a rare milestone at the ATP Finals, becoming only the third player in the tournament’s current format (1972–81 and 1986–present) to reach the semifinals with a 1-2 record in the round-robin stage. He joins David Nalbandian (2006) and Kei Nishikori (2016) in this exclusive group. What sets De Minaur apart is that he is the first player ever to advance with a negative set win-loss record.
The Road Through Turin
De Minaur’s path was anything but straightforward. He suffered defeats against Jannik Sinner (6-3, 6-4) and Daniil Medvedev (6-2, 6-4), leaving his chances of progression slim. His final group match against Taylor Fritz became decisive. With determination, De Minaur won 7-6(3), 6-3, eliminating Fritz and keeping his hopes alive. The group’s results ultimately worked in his favor, allowing him to qualify despite his losing record. This highlighted the unique dynamics of the round-robin format, where head-to-head results and set counts can outweigh overall match wins.
Historical Context
The ATP Finals has always been unforgiving, demanding consistency against the world’s best. Nalbandian’s 2006 run and Nishikori’s 2016 campaign were already considered anomalies, but De Minaur’s advancement with a negative set record sets a new precedent. As Novak Djokovic once remarked about the event, “Every match here is like a final, you cannot afford to relax.”
Significance for De Minaur
For De Minaur, this marks his first semifinal appearance at the prestigious year-end championship. It is a career-defining moment that underscores his resilience and ability to fight through adversity. His journey in Turin will be remembered not only for its rarity but also for the determination he displayed in overcoming setbacks.
Alex De Minaur in 2025
At the moment ranked no.7, De Minaur played his last match on the 13th of November when he was overcome by world no.1 Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5) 6-2 in the round robin in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
This season the Australian owns a compiled 56-23 record. This year, De Minaur lifted the trophy in Washington. De Minaur was the finalist in Rotterdam.