ATP Finals Title Comes Down To Sinner Versus Fritz

Jannik Sinner, ATP Finals, Turin
Jannik Sinner (photo: Giampiero /FITP)

TURIN/WASHINGTON, November 17, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)

While World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and soon-to-be World No. 4 Taylor Fritz each moved to within a victory of capping a remarkable 2024 season at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Italy on Saturday, a lot can be revealed about both semifinal winners from the players who lost to them: Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev.

Sinner defeated World No. 7 Ruud, 6-1, 6-2, in an hour and nine minutes inside a roaring Inalpi Arena to advance to his second straight ATP Finals title match — a first for an Italian. He struck 22 winners, made only 12 unforced errors, controlled the net and outpointed Ruud 55-30. It was his 10th straight victory and 25th win in his last 26 matches.

Earlier, Fritz went the distance to beat World No. 2 Zverev, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (3), in two hours and 21 minutes. He fired 15 aces and hit 31 winners during his winning effort. His triumph against Zverev — his fourth straight against the German — lifted him from World No. 5 to a career-high No. 4 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. Fritz became the first American finalist since James Blake lost the 2006 final to Roger Federer. The last American to win the year-end event was Pete Sampras in 1999.

During their respective post-match news conferences, both Ruud and Zverev spoke candidly and positively about Sinner and Fritz.

“Well, first of all, Jannik is playing extremely well from every corner of his game, if I can say that,” Ruud said. “Serving well, returning well. Every kind of ground stroke feels like rockets are thrown at you. That’s tough.”

Ruud was asked by a reporter what was the most impressive thing about Sinner’s game. The Norwegian replied: “I mean, today I found that he was playing great offensive[ly] and also great defensively. Felt like he was moving better than sometimes you might expect from him because he’s a quite tall guy. He’s strong because he plays long matches and has no problem. When you look at him, he doesn’t necessarily look like a body builder, you know? I think he also knows himself.

“He’s really fast on the court. He can get to many balls. I felt like even some points I was throwing him from side to side, he was defending and sliding around really well. [I] was really impressed with everything from his game.”

Sinner, who improved to 69-6 with his win against Ruud, is the youngest player to reach multiple finals at the event since Lleyton Hewitt, at age 20, in 2001-02. The 23-year-old South Tyrolean, is now 59-2 versus players ranked outside the Top-5 this season, including 39-1 on hard courts.

“Everything in his game improved,” said Ruud, 25, who was facing Sinner for the first time in three years. “I mean, this year it seems like he stepped up with every aspect, or even from last year, end of last year. It’s really fun to watch. It’s difficult to play.

“I admire Jannik a lot as a player. As a person, he’s very serious about what he does. Yeah, it’s inspiring. Even though he’s younger than me, I have a lot to learn from him.”

Meanwhile, Zverev pointed to Fritz’s improved forehand as the difference maker during their semifinal tussle. “His forehand used to break down quite a lot,” he said. “His forehand was always fast, very aggressive, but it was very, very shaky in important moments. He could hit a winner, but he could hit the fence, as well.

“I feel like the ratio is a lot more towards winners now than hitting the fence. His forehand doesn’t break down as much as it used to.

“I think that’s the shot that improved the most for him.”

Zverev admitted that Fritz was an uncomfortable opponent for him. “I think it’s no secret,” he said. “I think there are players that are more comfortable for some opponents and there are players that are less comfortable.

“I talked to Carlos [Alcaraz] about it, which is funny. I mean, I think we have quite a good relationship, quite a good friendship. It’s funny, his very, very comfortable opponents are the complete opposite to me. His uncomfortable opponents are the complete opposite to me, as well. It’s funny how matchups work in tennis.

“For him, I think some of the most comfortable opponents are Daniel Medvedev and Taylor Fritz. For me, its completely the opposite. He really doesn’t like playing some of the big hitters like a Jannik Sinner. He’s a great player, No. 1 in the world, for sure, but I still enjoy playing him.

“It’s funny how matchups in tennis work. Not every match is the same just purely based on ranking and the higher-ranked player is going to win. That’s not how it works.”

Sinner will take a 3-1 head-to-head lead against Fritz into Sunday’s final against the 27-year-old American, which includes his straight-set US Open title victory in September as well as a 6-4, 6-4 win in ATP Finals round-robin play last Tuesday. He could be the first
player to win the title without losing a set since Ivan Lendl in 1986.

“Tomorrow is going to be a very interesting day …” Sinner said Saturday evening during his post-match news conference, after defeating Ruud. “I’m happy again to be in this position. It’s a very special occasion. Sundays in each tournament means that you had a great, great week.

“Hopefully, I’m going to enjoy tomorrow and we see what’s coming out.”

Meanwhile, Fritz is stoked. “I think for myself, I have believed that I belong, that I’m one of the best players,” he said Saturday afternoon during his post-match news conference, after beating Zverev. “It’s not results-based. It’s more I can feel how I’m playing. …

“Yeah, this week is huge. I beat three incredible players, have been playing great tennis. I feel like I’ve just recently in the last couple weeks made some big improvements to my game, as well.”

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