Jannik Sinner now has two wins to his name at the 2024 ATP Finals after he was able to beat also Taylor Fritz.
This year's year-end championship couldn't be better for Sinner. He entered it as the top-ranked player, he was presented the year-end No. 1 trophy at the tournament, and the tournament is also held in his home country.
In his first match, the young Italian outplayed Alex de Minaur, and in his second match, he was similarly impressive against Taylor Fritz. The difference was that the American player provided much more resistance, which meant that this was probably the best match at the 2024 ATP Finals so far, even though it ended in two sets like all the previous matches.
Early on, both had to be at their best on serve. First, Fritz got to deuce already in his first service game, but he held without having to face a break point. Sinner then had to go through two deuces in the fifth game, but he held without having to face a break point as well.
That changed two games later. The 23-year-old player had to fight for his serve in the longest game of the match. He faced one break point, and the game featured a total of four deuces. Still, Sinner was able to hold, which was crucial for him.
After holding his serve, the World No. 1 player had three consecutive break points on his opponent's serve. Fritz made some unnecessary unforced errors, falling behind 0-40 in the eighth game. Miraculously, the American player was able to hold his serve and make it 4-4.
But this was a match of crucial moments, and Sinner showed it late in the first set. He first held his serve to make it 5-4 and force his opponent to feel the pressure when serving. Fritz certainly felt the pressure, as Sinner was able to work his way to two break points, which were also set points, using the first one to win the opening set 6-4.
Both continued to serve excellently also in the second set of the match. There was very little between them, and it seemed like the set would have to be decided in a tie-break, as both had little issues on their serve.
That changed in the sixth game. Fritz allowed his opponent to have one break point, but he saved it and kept the score level. Sinner held his serve effortlessly, and at 5-4, his opponent was under pressure again.
This time, it looked like the American player will be able to cope with it. He led 30-0 on his serve, and it looked like a tie-break would become a reality. However, Sinner won four consecutive points to steal that game, set, and match, winning 6-4, 6-4 to secure his second win at the 2024 ATP Finals.
This victory puts the home crowd favorite very close to a semi-final spot, which he still hasn't secured. In his last match, he will play against Daniil Medvedev, and if the Russian player beats him in two sets and Fritz wins in two sets against Alex de Minaur, Sinner can still be third in the group based on the percentage of games won in his matches.