Day five of the Nitto ATP Finals 2025 saw the Jimmy Connors Group off the hook as Alex de Minaur finally found a big win when he needed it most, beating Taylor Fritz in straight sets to keep his semi-final hopes alive.
Later in the evening, Carlos Alcaraz sealed the group and reclaimed the year-end world ranking with a commanding victory over Lorenzo Musetti, ending the Italian’s campaign and sending De Minaur through to the last four.
Nitto ATP Finals 2025 results day 5
| Winner | Loser | Score line |
|---|---|---|
| Alex de Minaur (7) | Taylor Fritz (6) | 7-6(3) 6-3 |
| Carlos Alcaraz (1) | Lorenzo Musetti (9) | 6-4 6-1 |
Alex de Minaur (7) def. Taylor Fritz (6) 7-6(3) 6-3
Alex de Minaur kept his hopes of Nitto ATP Finals qualification alive with a convincing 7-6(3), 6-3 victory over Taylor Fritz in Turin on Thursday, ending the American’s semi-final chances and finishing 1-2 in the Jimmy Connors Group.
Given Alex’s recent fights against higher ranked opponents, I thought Fritz would win, but he had a bad day at the office, and ADM looked like a man on a mission after his disappointing loss to Musetti.
Important match highlights:
First set (7-6(3), 52 minutes): De Minaur attacked relentlessly from the baseline and forced Fritz into fouls. The American held on to force a tie-break, but De Minaur dominated 7-3 with crisp returns and net play to edge the opener.
Second set (6-3, 43 minutes): De Minaur broke early to build a 4-1 lead after Fritz faltered on serve. He reached match point at 5-2 but kept his cool as Fritz held and served it out at 5-3. Fritz hit 33 unforced errors and won just 67% of first-serve points. De Minaur now leads their head-to-head 6-5.
Quote after match (De Minaur):
I’ve been dealing with a lot of heartbreak recently, so it was good to finally get a win here in Turin. I’ve been working really hard so it was good to get some positive feedback or a positive reward for the hard work, so I’m very happy with the performance De Minaur on his win.
Broader context:
- Match length: 1 hour, 35 minutes.
- First Top 10 hardcourt wins in 2025 non-team events; needed a straight sets win to stay in the SF race.
- Fritz 2025 stats: 53-23 record, titles at Eastbourne and Stuttgart; out on 1-2.
- Do the last four: De Minaur advances after Alcaraz beat Musetti on Thursday night.
- Next: Awaiting SF draw on Friday, the winner of the Björn Borg group will play.
Match statistics
| Taylor Fritz | Alex de Minaur | |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 17 | 24 |
| Unforced errors | 33 | 28 |
| Ace | 8 | 5 |
| Double mistake | 1 | 3 |
| 1st serving % | 59% (41/69) | 55% (36/66) |
| 1st Serve point won | 66% (27/41) | 83% (30/36) |
| 2nd serve point won | 54% (15/28) | 53% (16/30) |
| Breakpoints saved | 50% (2/4) | 0% (0/1) |
| Service game | 80% (8/10) | 91% (10/11) |
| 1st return point won | 17% (6/36) | 34% (14/41) |
| 2nd return point won | 47% (14/30) | 46% (13/28) |
| Break point won | 100% (1/1) | 50% (2/4) |
| Return game | 9% (1/11) | 20% (2/10) |
| Pressure points | 60% (3/5) | 40% (2/5) |
| Service points | 61% (42/69) | 70% (46/66) |
| Return points | 30% (20/66) | 39% (27/69) |
| Net points | 57% (4/7) | 88% (14/16) |
| Total points | 46% (62/135) | 54% (73/135) |
| Match point saved | 1 | 0 |
| Max points in a row | 9 | 7 |
| Total game | 43% (9/21) | 57% (21/12) |
| Max games in a row | 3 | 5 |
Highlights
Carlos Alcaraz (1) def. Lorenzo Musetti (9) 6-4 6-1
Carlos Alcaraz reclaimed the ATP year-end No. 1 ranking presented for the first time since 2022 with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Lorenzo Musetti in Turin on Thursday, rolling a perfect 3-0 run through the Jimmy Connors Group and sending Alex de Minaur to the semifinals.
After Alcaraz’s loss in Paris to Norrie, some fans were quick to announce that the foul-spraying Alcaraz of old was back, but Turin dispelled that myth as he has fully dialed in.
He was super focused from start to finish against Musetti, and the precision of his groundstrokes was second to none.
Important match highlights:
First set (6-4, 42 minutes): Alcaraz managed the support of the partisan crowd and Musetti’s net came close, igniting an early cheer. The set was dominated by serve, but the Spaniard remained aggressive in the rallies and converted one of two break points to seal the opener despite the Italian’s flashes of brilliance.
Second set (6-1, 41 minutes): Musetti faltered under pressure, unable to maintain the intensity as his legs were put to the test. Alcaraz broke twice early with a clean ball, firing 26 winners to Musetti’s eight and closing with flair. He saved both break points.
Post-match context:
- Match length: 83 minutes.
- Alcaraz improves to 7-1 in their head-to-head.
- Securing Year End No. 1 (second career season); tops Jimmy Connors Group, advances to SFs for second time (best before: 2023 SF).
Quote after match (Alcaraz):
The match was very important for me, to play for the end of the year No. 1. It was not easy at the beginning with the nerves. I tried to deal with that pressure as best I could, so I’m just really happy with the level I played and to be able to finish the year at No. 1. Alcaraz on his win and captured year-end number 1.
Broader context:
- Musetti: (1-2) eliminated because he needed a win to advance; De Minaur (1-2) qualifies as second via Alcaraz’s result.
- Alcaraz’s stats in 2025: 70 wins, 8 titles, including RG and US Open.
- Next: Saturday, SF against the runner-up in the Björn Borg group.
Match statistics
| Carlos Alcaraz | Lorenzo Musetti | |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 26 | 8 |
| Unforced errors | 21 | 19 |
| Ace | 2 | 3 |
| Double mistake | 0 | 0 |
| 1st serving % | 69% (36/52) | 64% (36/56) |
| 1st Serve point won | 83% (30/36) | 53% (19/36) |
| 2nd serve point won | 56% (9/16) | 60% (20/12) |
| Breakpoints saved | 100% (2/2) | 40% (2/5) |
| Service game | 100% (9/9) | 63% (5/8) |
| 1st return point won | 47% (17/36) | 17% (6/36) |
| 2nd return point won | 40% (8/20) | 44% (7/16) |
| Break point won | 60% (3/5) | 0% (0/2) |
| Return game | 38% (3/8) | 0% (0/9) |
| Pressure points | 71% (5/7) | 29% (2/7) |
| Service points | 75% (39/52) | 55% (31/56) |
| Return points | 45% (25/56) | 25% (13/52) |
| Net points | 100% (15/15) | 100% (5/5) |
| Total points | 59% (64/108) | 41% (44/108) |
| Match point saved | 0 | 2 |
| Max points in a row | 8 | 4 |
| Return game | 38% (3/8) | 0% (0/9) |
| Total game | 71% (12/17) | 29% (5/17) |
| Max games in a row | 5 | 1 |
Highlights
2025 ATP Finals Day 6 Schedule
- 11:30: Harri Heliovaara / Henry Patten (2) vs Marcelo Arevalo / Mate Pavcic (4)
- Not before 2pm: Jannik Sinner (1) vs Ben Shelton (5)
- 18.00: Joe Salisbury / Neil Skupski (5) vs Christian Harrison / Evan King (8)
- Not before 20.30: Alexander Zverev (3) vs Alexander Zverev-Aliassime (8)
