Djokovic stops Fritz comeback to secure final spot at 2022 ATP Finals
ATP
Novak Djokovic had to fight hard to reach the final of the 2022 ATP Finals, as Taylor Fritz produced an inspired level.
Djokovic took on the lowest-ranked player in the semi-finals of the final ATP event of the year, but it wasn't an easy job for him. Taylor Fritz qualified for the 2022 ATP Finals after the World No. 1 player, Carlos Alcaraz, withdrew from the event.
The American player was ranked ninth in the ATP Race, which meant he was set to be the first alternate prior to Alcaraz's withdrawal. At the event, however, Fritz showed his undeniable qualities, and after defeating Rafael Nadal and Felix Auger-Aliassime, he booked his semi-final spot.
However, his semifinal opponent was the 21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, who is trying to win his sixth ATP Finals title. The Serbian was the first to break his opponent's serve in the match, but he was immediately broken back.
After neither of the players managed to break in the remainder of the first set, it had to be decided in a tie-break. After trading two mini-breaks, Djokovic got one more in a moment, which didn't give his opponent a chance to respond, which meant he won the tie-break 7-5.
The highest-ranked American started well in the second set, as he broke Djokovic's serve in the very first game, and a few minutes later, he was serving for the set.
However, that was the moment when Djokovic showed his qualities once again and broke back. Also, the second set was then decided in a tie-break, and despite not converting the first match point, he used his second chance to book the final spot, winning the match 7-6(5), 7-6(6).
Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev will battle for the second final spot as the Serbian will try to equal recently retired Roger Federer with his sixth ATP Finals title.
