Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Nitto ATP Finals match.
Fritz has already secured one victory, making this match crucial in his quest for a semi-final spot. The American will be eager to build on his success and bounce back from a recent defeat to Jannik Sinner by proving his competitiveness in Turin. For De Minaur, his debut at the ATP Finals hasn't been as favourable. Although he still has a theoretical chance for the playoffs, his standing in the group is precarious.
Alex de Minaur
Alex de Minaur possesses remarkable speed and patience, enabling him to endure lengthy rallies while waiting for opponents to make mistakes. However, his lack of a strong first serve, with just four aces in his last two matches, leaves him vulnerable against powerful foes. Against top-10 players, he often struggles with consistency, as shown by his recent results, losing seven out of his last eight encounters, most of which were in straight losses. However, he has a positive record against Fritz, winning six out of nine matches and consistently taking at least one set in his losses.
Taylor Fritz
Taylor Fritz is known for his powerful groundstrokes and excellent serve, which often serve as his key weapons. For instance, he blasted nine aces against Medvedev and seven against Sinner. His two-handed backhand at high speeds gives him an edge on fast courts, making him the favourite against De Minaur.
Alex de Minaur vs Taylor Fritz Prediction
Fritz appears more prepared for this match, particularly with his confidence on fast surfaces and the effectiveness of his serve. It is likely that the American will prevail, although De Minaur still has a fighting chance for the semi-finals and is expected to put up a challenge and take at least one set. Considering their previous head-to-head encounters, we predict the match will see a total over 3.