Fritz conquers Zverev to reach the Nitto girl ATP The final match of the championship
Fritz eliminates Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 in the semi-finals
California’s Taylor Fritz is competing in his second season-ending championship after qualifying for the first time 2022. #5 player in the world had a stellar season winning two titles (Delray Beach & Eastbourne) and reached his first Grand Slam final in US Open (l. Sinner).
Over the course of ten months, the twenty-seven-year-old has knocked out Alexander Zverev three times in four matches and led head-to-head. 6-5. Zverev from Germany and twice ATP Final Champion (2018 & 2021) also had an outstanding season, winning two Masters 1000 events (Rome & Paris), rising to #2after reaching that ranking for the first time in June 2022.
While they have played on all surfaces this season, Fritz won their last and only match on a hard indoor court in September at the Laver Cup. Zverev was eager to rewrite the script in Turin after losing to the American in five in the third round. 16 at Wimbledon and at four in the quarters at US Open.
Although lost in the world #1 Jannik Sinner, Fritz reached the elimination round with wins over Daniil Medvedev and Alex de Minaur. Zverev reached the penultimate round with impressive three-set victories over Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud and Carlos Alcaraz.
Fritz won the toss and elected to serve. He served a double fault but held on 30 with two aces in a row, while Zverev hit four winners including two aces in a row to draw level. Fritz opened the third with his third ace and held to love 2-1. Zverev opened the fourth with a forehand and held 15 to level.
Imago
The American dropped a hand on the line and held on 30 ABOUT 3-2 as the German faced deuces, two break points and dropped serve when Fritz crushed a crosshand forehand.
Fritz was on fire as he hit his fourth ace and consolidated the break at love. Zverev serving with new balls hit his third ace and held to love 3-5. Fritz opened the ninth with his fifth ace and with another he reached triple set point and converted when Zverev miscued a backhand.
The German served first in the second and fell to love with an ace up. Fritz hit three straight winners, including another leveling assist. Zverev held 30 ABOUT 2-1 despite scoring two consecutive punt returns. Fritz hit three winners including another assist, but dropped serve after three unforced errors.
the world #2 struck a hand forward and consolidated the separation in love, while Fritz struck his own 8th ace and held in 15 ABOUT 2-4. Zverev opened the seventh set with his fifth ace but faced two deuces and a break point before stopping with an ace out.
Fritz serving to stay in the group with new balls hit two additional aces and held 15 as Zverev secured the set 6-3 with three outstanding winners, including two aces.
The American served first in the decider and with two straight aces and a backhand volley held to love as Zverev served his first double fault but held 15 to level.
Fritz held it easily 15 with his thirteenth ace, while Zverev scored his ninth at level. the world #5 served up two straight back faults, faced triple break point, four in total, and four deuce points still held for 3-2.
Zverev unloaded with an inside-out forehand and held to love 3-3 as Fritz made three consecutive forehand errors, he faced deuce still holding. Zverev serving with new balls opened the eighth with a backhand winner, but with three backhand errors, he faced two break points. After reaching deuce, he faced another break point with a double fault, but ran away with two spectacular winners.
As the tension and buzz inside the Inalpi Arena continued to grow, Fritz hit two winners, including an ace off the tee to lead. 5-4. Zverev serving to stay in the match did 4/5 He serves first and is level with an incredible inside-out forehand.
Fritz opened with a monster but faced four points and two break points before holding for 6-5. The German, serving to stay in the match and force the breaker, hit two incredible winners to open and close the game at love.
Fritz ran into one 4-1 lead before Zverev reached 3-4 with an inside hand winner. The American reached triple match point when Zverev drew a forehand and secured it with a wonderful inside-out forehand.
It was a thrilling, high-stakes slugfest that kept the Turin crowd on the edge of their seats. Taylor Fritz in only his second appearance in the end-of-season championships will play for the trophy, 500 ranking points and a big salary.
He patiently rode swings with momentum and played fearlessly when it mattered most. He passed his opponent 15/10 winning 85First % and 33% of second serve points. He escaped 6/7 breakpoints during conversion 1/6. While both finished with an incredible ninety-seven points, Fritz converted the first of the game’s three pointers.
Waiting for the final is the world #1 and reigning US Open Champion and 2023 Nitto ATP Runner-up, Jannik Sinner, or the world #7 AND 2022 Nitto ATP Runner-up, Casper Ruud.
The sinner leads Fritz 3-1 head to head including winning the second round and US The open final. Ruud leads the American 2-1 head-to-head with Fritz who scored a four-set victory in the 4th round in September en route to the final at Flushing Meadows.
