Carlos Alcaraz and Alex de Minaur kick off the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals when they meet in Turin on Sunday afternoon in round-robin competition in Group Jimmy Connors.
Alcaraz does sweeping the head-to-head series 4-0but De Minaur has twice forced a final set, including in their only previous indoor hard-court match (Alcaraz triumphed 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in the Rotterdam championship match earlier this season). De Minaur even had a match point in their 2022 clash in Barcelona, but saw the Spaniard save it in dramatic fashion and ultimately triumph 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-4.
The seventh-ranked Australian must be happy to be in Alcaraz’s group instead of Jannik Sinner’s (he’s 0-11 lifetime against the Italian), and the underdog certainly has a chance in this match. De Minaur is coming off a stellar season that saw him capture an ATP 500 title in Washington, DC and reach the quarterfinals at each of the two hard-court majors. The 26-year-old has advanced to at least the quarterfinals in all four of his events during the 2025 fall swing.
As usual, Alcaraz’s results since the US Open have been mixed. The world number 2 won 1-1 at the Laver Cup, captured the title in Tokyo and then immediately lost to Cameron Norrie at the Shanghai Masters.
Neither player has an encouraging history in Turin. Alcaraz has made just two appearances and has compiled an overall match record of 3-4. It’s also worth noting that he is 0-2 in opening matches, including an unceremonious 6-1, 7-5 setback to Casper Ruud 12 months ago. De Minaur won 0-3 on his debut last fall.
This is more of a toss-up than the rankings and head-to-head record suggest. The year-end championship could start with a result that would be considered a huge surprise, but in reality it wouldn’t be a huge surprise.
Choice: De Minaur in 3
#Nitto #ATP #Final #Tennis #Picks #Prediction #Alcaraz #Minaur