Zverev had eight consecutive victories and his defeat was unexpected. Fritz (27 years old) is the first American to reach the final of the “masters tournament” since James Blake in 2006. He can offer the United States a first victory in the event since Pete Sampras in… 1999.
“It was a very tough match, very intense, we each had our chance to win in the third set,” explained Fritz. “I have increased my confidence recently by obtaining important results against good players on the tour,” he noted.
Even though he had won their last three confrontations, including a single at the Laver Cup, Fritz was not the favorite in this duel of waiters-sluggers, as Zverev (27) had been on cloud nine since his coronation at the Masters 1000 from Paris. He had also dominated his group stage with three victories without losing a single set.
But the American, an unfortunate finalist at the US Open in September, suddenly brought him back to earth with a barrage of serves at more than 220 km/h (six aces, 95% of points won on his first ball during the first set) which allowed him to easily and quickly win his service games.
Swiss
