Taylor Fritz defeats Alexander Zverev in Nitto ATP Finals SF Thriller | ATP Tour

Matching Report

Fritz beats Zverev in the Nitto ATP SF finals

He is America’s fifth year-end finalist since Blake in 2006

November 16, 2024

Taylor Fritz became the first American to reach a Nitto ATP Finals title match since James Blake in 2006 on Saturday when he defeated World No. 2 Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(3) in a thriller from Turin.

The fifth seed produced a classy display, hitting 32 winners and becoming the first player to beat Zverev this week en route to his stunning two-hour, 20-minute victory. Fritz has won his last four matches against Zverev, who committed three critical errors in the third break, and leads the German 7-5 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

In his fifth final of the season, World No. 5 will aim to win the biggest title of his life when he faces either Italy’s Jannik Sinner or Norway’s Casper Ruud on Sunday evening.

“I felt like I played an almost perfect first set, but things can change quickly when you play someone like Sascha,” said Fritz. “I found myself in some difficult places in the third, when we both started to interact even more.

“When I was trying to be aggressive I didn’t feel like it was doing much. I just told myself at the end that I had to fight and be strong and try to take care of my serve as best as I could and give it to him completely. nothing behind.”

TAYLOR’S ERA IN TURIN 💎@Taylor_Fritz97 punches his ticket to the title in Turin, beating Zverev in a thrilling match 6-3 3-6 7-6 (3)! #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/ul5R3AGvsw

– ATP Tour (@atptour) November 16, 2024

Fritz, a 2022 semifinalist in Turin, rose one place to No. 4 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and will end the year in the Top 5 for the first time. Fritz is the first American to finish a season inside the Top 5 since Blake in 2006 and will move up to No. 4 on the job on Monday if Casper Ruud does not win the title in northern Italy.

Following his stunning victory against Zverev, Fritz raised his arms high, to cheers from the ecstatic crowd at the Inalpi Arena before hugging the stunned Zverev at the net.

“I trust my game and I trust my quality,” said Fritz. “I don’t feel uncomfortable in these situations anymore because I’ve been putting myself in these situations when I’ve been facing top players in major events recently… I’m really confident in my game.”

In the battle for fun inside, Fritz was locked in from the first stages. The American became the first player to break Zverev this week when he swiped a backhand for a 4-2 lead in the opener. The fifth seed won 95 percent (18/19) of his opening points according to Infosys ATP Stats and closed out the first set in his second place with a heavy forehand.

The start of the second set led to the first video review of the week in singles. At 1-0 in the second set, Zverev rushed forward and jumped to take the ball with a backhand swipe. Referee Adel Nour did not call, awarding Fritz a point. However, in a video review requested by Zverev, Nour dismissed his call and ordered the point to be replayed. Zverev then won a replay point.

Fritz continued to hold but Zverev’s breakthrough came soon after. The German began to hit his heavy backhand with great draw, winning the exchange from that wing to break Fritz’s serve. Zverev saved the only break point he faced in the set at 4-2, closing to force a decider.

Both players showed their spirit in the third set. First, Fritz fought hard to hold the key at 2-2 in the third set, coming from 0/40. Zverev then responded by saving three break points when serving at 3-4. Another huge game followed at 5-5, when Fritz fought back a 10-minute match to hold 6-5, saving one break point with a crash.

With nothing to separate them, the match was decided by a crucial break of the game. With the crowd on the edge of their seats, Fritz capitalized on three unforced errors from Zverev to claim a stunning win with his first match point.

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US Open winner Fritz, who has lifted ATP Tour titles in Delray Beach and Eastbourne this season, is now 52-22 on the year.

Two-time champion Zverev was competing in his 90th match of the season, the most since David Ferrer’s 91 appearances in 2012. The 27-year-old was trying to become the first player since Andy Murray (78) in 2016 to achieve 70 match wins in a season.