De Minaur beats Tiafoe to reach 2nd successive final

Top-seeded Alex de Minaur beat Frances Tiafoe at the Next Gen Finals on Friday to reach his second successive final in Milan.

The Australian overcame second-seeded Tiafoe 4-2, 4-1, 0-4, 4-2 in the first semifinal of the season-ending tournament for top under-21 players.

The 20-year-old De Minaur dominated the match but had to recover from losing the third set. He sealed the victory on his first match point when Tiafoe hit a forehand into the net.

Alex De Minaur, of Australia, right, is congratulated by Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, after winning the ATP Next Gen tennis tournament semifinal match, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

"It's never easy playing someone like Frances. He has immense firepower and he's never going to give up," said De Minaur, who has lost just one of his nine matches at the Next Gen Finals.

"I didn't have my best third set, but I was able to bounce back and come up clutch in that last game."

De Minaur and Tiafoe are good friends on the circuit and that was shown by the American giving De Minaur a friendly slap on the head as he walked off court after the defeat.

Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, returns the ball to Alex De Minaur, of Australia, during the ATP Next Gen tennis tournament semifinal match, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

"It's difficult, but easier in some ways," De Minaur said about facing a friend. "It's easy because you know that no matter what happens on the court, you're still going to be the best of friends. In the same manner, you've got to remember that you're opponents."

De Minaur, who is ranked No. 18, will be looking for a fourth ATP Tour title after victories this year in Sydney, Atlanta and Zhuhai.

Italian wild card Jannik Sinner plays Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia in the other semifinal at this year's event, which features a unique format where each set is first to four games.

Alex De Minaur, of Australia, serves the ball to Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, during the ATP Next Gen tennis tournament semifinal match, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

De Minaur lost the 2018 final in Milan to Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas.

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Alex De Minaur, of Australia, strikes a forehand to Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, during the ATP Next Gen tennis tournament semifinal match, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

Frances Tiafoe of the United States returns the ball to Alex De Minaur of Australia, during their ATP Next Gen tennis tournament semifinal match, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Blowing late leads has become a hallmark of Manchester United's season.

Erik ten Hag hopes that changes when Liverpool comes to Old Trafford on Sunday. United is still clinging to hopes of a Champions League spot, despite a stunning 4-3 loss to Chelsea on Thursday night.

United first gave away the lead in the 10th minute of stoppage time at Stamford Bridge and then the game a minute later — both goals coming from Cole Palmer.

That followed a blown lead in a 1-1 draw at Brentford last Saturday. United had just recovered from celebrating Mason Mount's goal in the 96th when Kristoffer Ajer tied it three minutes later.

“We can beat the best teams in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said. “When you beat them in the Premier League, you can do it across Europe, but we need to learn how you win games ... how you bring games over the line and get the three points. We have to step up."

Dropping five points in the past two games is “very expensive,” he added.

“Games are running out. We know that and we have to catch up and we are now many points behind,” Ten Hag said. “It will be difficult. We will keep fighting.”

With eight games remaining, United is nine points behind fifth-place Tottenham and 11 points back of fourth-place Aston Villa. Because of a format change to the Champions League next season, the Premier League might get a fifth spot in Europe's elite club competition.

Blowing leads is not a new problem.

United exited the Champions League at the group stage — in last place. They gave away second-half leads in three of those games: a 3-2 home loss to Galatasaray; a 4-3 defeat at Copenhagen; and a 3-3 draw at Galatasaray.

The good news? United has actually closed out a big win recently — over Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling FA Cup quarterfinal match. Marcus Rashford tied it at 3-3 before Amad Diallo's winner at Old Trafford.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pointed to uncharacteristic errors that they'll need to avoid this time.

“We were really good that day but didn’t finish the situations off in extra time,” Klopp said. “We made mistakes we didn’t make before at all. We better play a really good football game to be honest, if we want something there.”

First-place Liverpool holds a two-point lead over Arsenal heading into the weekend.

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Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions from the side line during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Manchester United players react after referee award a penalty to Chelsea during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)