Alex de Minaur expressed his disappointment following his latest defeat to Jannik Sinner, acknowledging that the world No. 1 has become an “unsolvable puzzle” for him. In their matchup at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga on Saturday, the Italian star dominated the Australian, winning 6-3, 6-4. This loss marks de Minaur’s ninth defeat in their head-to-head encounters, with the Australian yet to win a set against Sinner.
Despite having a breakthrough year on the ATP Tour, which included his debut at the ATP Finals and a rise into the top 10 for the first time in his career, de Minaur has struggled to find a way to challenge Sinner. The two have faced off three times this year, with Sinner claiming each match in straight sets.
De Minaur elaborated on the challenges posed by Sinner, stating, “It’s like trying to solve a puzzle that not a lot of people have managed to solve. His ball speed and consistency make it feel like there’s no real letdown of focus throughout the whole match. To beat him, you need to play some of your best tennis, especially in the big moments.” He emphasized Sinner’s ability to elevate his game when it matters most, making him a formidable opponent.
During the match in Malaga, de Minaur initially struggled after an early break but managed to recover. However, he ultimately lost the first set after dropping serve again in the sixth game. In the second set, Sinner secured a crucial break in the ninth game, taking a 5-4 lead before closing out the match in the following game.
De Minaur’s defeat, coupled with Thanasi Kokkinakis’s loss in the opening rubber, ended Australia’s run in the Davis Cup Finals at the semifinal stage.
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