🔗 Share this article {'Mentally it's killing me': De Minaur on verge of ATP Finals exit after third-set collapse Alex de Minaur's hopes of advancing to the ATP Finals semi-finals are hanging by a thread after a gut-wrenching defeat in three sets to Italian opponent Lorenzo Musetti. Crushing Defeat in Turin The world No 7 succumbed 7-5 3-6 7-5 after failing to serve out the match, keeping the Italian to stay alive in the event and now forcing the Australian needing to convincingly beat Taylor Fritz in his last group match to qualify for the semi-finals. Mental Demons Threaten Career But facing Fritz in 48 hours is the least of de Minaur's pressing worries as the Sydney native concedes he must confront the mental demons that risk undermining his career. A loser of all six of his grand slam quarter-final appearances, the 26-year-old was couldn't hide his distress after suffering yet another high-stakes near miss with his tournament fate in his own hands. "I don't know how many times I can handle a loss like this one," de Minaur stated in Turin. "I just have to talk to my team and try to resolve these issues because these are challenges that can't keep happening." Professional Turning Point "I mean, if I really want to be serious about taking the next step in my career, these contests, I can't lose them. I just can't. It feels like I've lost a lot of them this year. Most importantly, it's getting to a point where psychologically it's destroying me." Characterizing his emotions as "very bleak", de Minaur bemoaned a succession of final set collapses in 2025 and said he must find a way to win the close matches. Recent Disappointments The Australia No 1's streak of crushing losses comprise: Latest 6-3 4-6 7-6 (7-5) outcome against Alexander Bublik at the Paris Masters Tightly-fought US Open quarter-final defeat to Felix Auger-Aliassime Final four in Monte Carlo against Musetti Squandered two-set lead against Bublik at the French Open Defeated in a third-set tiebreaker to Andrey Rublev in the Doha semi-finals "I keep putting everything into these matches," de Minaur said. "When the outcome isn't positive, it's difficult to keep persevering." Immediate Solution Needed "This is an issue that if it doesn't get sorted, it's going to consume me completely. I must get it sorted sooner rather than later." Upcoming Challenge De Minaur and Fritz are tied at five wins each in previous encounters, though the sixth-ranked American won their matchup in this showpiece event last year. The Australian's chances remain alive after Fritz experienced a 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 6-3 defeat to Carlos Alcaraz that ensured the Spaniard would progress to the semi-finals as the winner of the Jimmy Connors group. Tournament Implications The second-ranked player's victory, having already knocked over de Minaur, put Alcaraz a single victory away of claiming the year-end top ranking from Jannik Sinner. Regardless if he loses to Musetti in his final group match, Alcaraz will reclaim the world No 1 ranking unless Sinner, who defeated Auger-Aliassime in his opener on Monday, goes unbeaten to retain his ATP Finals title. "I will try not to think about it," said Alcaraz. "It's going to be a really big match for me. I will try not to let the anxiety play a negative role in the match. I will concentrate on my objectives, about feeling much better than today."