Alex de Minaur deserves immense credit for what he managed in the first set of his latest match in Paris
Alex de Minaur’s First-Set Masterclass: A Clinic in Survival, Grit, and Clutch Play
Alex de Minaur’s 6-2, 6-2 demolition of Karen Khachanov in the Paris Masters third round on October 30, 2025, looks like a routine blowout on paper — but the **first set was anything but**. Down 0-40 at 4-5, staring at set point on his own serve, the Aussie produced one of the most remarkable holds of the season to stay alive, then reeled off the final eight games to seal the match. It was a display of mental fortitude, defensive wizardry, and cold-blooded execution that deserves **immense credit** — and arguably saved his ATP Finals qualification.
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The Moment: 0-40, 4-5 — Set Point Down
– Khachanov, the 2018 Paris champion and a two-time winner over de Minaur in 2025, had dominated the late stages of the set.
– At **4-5, 0-40**, de Minaur faced **three consecutive set points** — any one of which could’ve tilted the match.
– The crowd at Accor Arena sensed blood. Khachanov smelled it.
But then? **Pure Demon mode.**
| Game Point | What de Minaur Did | Result |
|————|———————|——–|
| 0-40 | 112 mph body serve — Khachanov nets return | 15-40 |
| 15-40 | Forehand winner down the line off a 12-shot rally | 30-40 |
| 30-40 | **Ace** — 118 mph out wide | Deuce |
| Ad-In | Drop shot winner after luring Khachanov in | Game |
**Four points. Four weapons. Zero panic.**
He didn’t just save the break — he **broke Khachanov’s spirit**. The Russian won just **one more point** in the set.
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The Stats Behind the Comeback
| Player | 1st Set Winners | Unforced Errors | Break Points Saved | Points Won on 2nd Serve |
|——–|——————|——————|———————|————————–|
| **de Minaur** | 12 | 4 | **3/3** | 67% |
| Khachanov | 8 | 9 | 0/2 | 38% |
– de Minaur won **8 of the last 9 games** after saving set point.
– He faced **zero break points** after that 4-5 game.
– Converted **4/10 break points** — all after the hold.
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Why This Matters More Than the Scoreline
1**Mental Reset**: After a shaky start (broken in his first service game), de Minaur flipped the script under maximum pressure.
2. **Finals on the Line**: He *knew* qualification hung in the balance. One lapse, and Turin slips away.
3. **History Reversed**: Khachanov had beaten him in their last two meetings — both in deciding sets. This was **revenge with interest**.
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Post-Match: Humble, But Aware
> *”That game at 4-5 was huge. I just told myself: ‘One point at a time.’ Sometimes that’s all you need. The rest just flowed.”*
> — Alex de Minaur
He later admitted he **didn’t know he’d qualified** until the interviewer told him — then joked it was “the best news in a long time” (before quickly adding, “Don’t tell Katie!”).
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The Verdict
That **4-5 hold wasn’t just a game saved** — it was:
– A **career-defining moment of resilience**
– The **spark that ignited an 8-game streak**
– The **reason he’s going back to Turin**
**Alex de Minaur didn’t just win a set. He won a war.**
And he did it with a smile, a wink, and a serve that refused to blink.
**Demon. Clutch. Legend in the making.** 🔥🇦🇺
