Jannik Sinner is set to compete for his first ATP Finals title after a dominant victory over Casper Ruud on Saturday, triumphing 6-1, 6-2 in Turin. Roared on by an enthusiastic home crowd, the 23-year-old Italian extended his winning streak to an impressive 10 matches, showcasing the form that has established him as the first Italian to reach the top of the ATP’s end-of-season world rankings. With his place in the final secured, Sinner will face Taylor Fritz in the championship match.
Sinner’s semi-final performance was nothing short of commanding. He took control from the outset, winning the first three games with clinical precision and wrapping up the first set in just 30 minutes. His relentless pace continued into the second set, giving Ruud little opportunity to find a rhythm or challenge his dominance. This victory reflects Sinner’s remarkable season, which has included seven tournament wins and Grand Slam titles at both the Australian and US Opens, cementing his status as one of the premier players on the circuit.
However, the road to Sinner’s success has not been without controversy. Earlier in the year, he faced scrutiny after testing positive twice for traces of the banned steroid clostebol in March. Although initially cleared, Sinner has been under the shadow of a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appeal since September, which is seeking a potential two-year ban. Despite this looming issue, Sinner’s on-court performances have remained unwavering.
On the other side of the net, fifth-ranked Taylor Fritz is aiming to become the first American to win the ATP Finals since Pete Sampras did so 25 years ago. Fritz secured his place in the final with a hard-fought 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3) victory over world No. 2 Alexander Zverev. The semi-final match was a marathon that tested Fritz’s resilience. In a closely contested third set, both players had opportunities to seize control, but Fritz managed to hold his composure, saving three crucial break points in the fifth game to keep the match balanced. His determination paid off as he triumphed in the tie-break to clinch his spot in the final.
Reflecting on that critical game, Fritz noted, "That was probably the biggest turning point; I lose one of those points, and that's probably it. That's kind of how it goes with playing Sascha." The victory marks Fritz’s first appearance in an ATP Finals title match and the first for an American male since James Blake in 2006.
Zverev, who had entered the semi-final with an eight-match winning streak and without dropping a set or service game in Turin, acknowledged that he missed key opportunities during the match. "It was one of those days where everything, it takes time to get going," he said, admitting he felt fatigued and out of sync. His frustration was compounded by the grueling tennis schedule, which he described as “crazy,” noting that he had not spent more than three consecutive days at home all year.
As the final approaches, Sinner holds a psychological edge, having defeated Fritz in both of their 2024 encounters, including a straight-sets victory in the US Open final and another during the group stage in Turin. For Fritz, Sunday’s match represents not only a chance to avenge those losses but also an opportunity to make history as an American champion. For Sinner, victory would be a crowning achievement in an already stellar year.
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