Alexander Zverev was in incredible form heading into the semis of the Nitto ATP Finals. But Taylor Fritz has had Zverev’s number in 2024. As such, something had to give when they locked horns again on Saturday afternoon in Turin.
In the end, it was Fritz’s recent mastery of the matchup that continued–but only by the smallest of margins. The American dug out of a 0-40 hole at 2-2 in the third set, saved two more break points at 5-5, and finally outlasted Zverev in a third-set tiebreaker. Fritz needed two hours and 21 minutes to complete his 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(3) victory.
He has now won four matches in a row against Zverev this season, including at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
“I found myself in some tough spots in the third, when we both started to get on each other’s serves even more,” Fritz noted. “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 solid and tried to take care of my serve the best I could and give him absolutely nothing from the back.”
The world No. 5 awaits either Jannik Sinner or Casper Ruud in Sunday’s championship match. He last went up against Sinner in the U.S. Open final, which the Italian won in straight sets.
“I trust my game and I trust my level,” Fritz added. “I don’t feel anywhere near as uncomfortable in these situations anymore because I’ve been putting myself in these situations against the top guys at big events a lot lately…. I’m really confident in my game.”
As for Zverev, his 2024 campaign ends with a 69-21 record. The second-ranked German was on an eight-match winning streak prior to Saturday.
way to go, Taylor!! (I picked Zv in 2….wrong!!)