Taylor Fritz, ATP world No. 5, won against Alexander Zverev, world No. 2, in the first semi-final of the ATP Finals (6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (3)). He awaits Jannik Sinner (1) or Casper Ruud (6) and becomes the first American finalist in the Masters since James Blake in 2006.
The winner of this meeting was anything but expected, but that is the beauty of tennis. After a long battle which lasted 2 hours 24, Taylor Fritz managed to defeat the favorite of the meeting Alexander Zverev6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (3).
We expected the German to be in continuity with his last matches from the start of the game, but quite the opposite is happening. Beyond having difficulty finding his feet, the latter will be really pushed around by his opponent. Very focused, Fritz starts strong, leaving no shooting window for Zverev on his serve. The American serves hard and precisely, securing all his shots in the first set. In the exchange, he managed to hold his own against the world No. 2, notably during a few backhand rallies.
At 3-2, on the German's serve, the latter raises his level of play, seeing his opponent doubted more and more. The returns are much more powerful and Zverev struggles to return the ball to the court. Fritz then converted his second break point, the only two he had in the set. Behind, the American does not waver on his service games, always ensuring an excellent first. It's 6-3 and that's logical.
Alexander Zverev then has to chase the score, something that doesn't happen often to him lately. The world No. 2 must raise his level of play, he knows it and that’s what he’s doing. He regains his ball length, just like his first ones, and manages to stand up to Fritz in the long rallies. At 2-1, on the American's serve, it's his turn to raise his voice, by obtaining his first break points. He will take the service of the world number 5, seeking a crucial point at the net.
With this break in his pocket, Zverev takes the lead in this second set… but not so easily. The German's service games at 4-2 and 5-3 are battled, but it holds up. The scenario of the first round has been reversed and it is the turn of the world No. 2 to be uncompromising in important moments. Fritz is forced to fold: 6-3 for Zverev who recovers.
What will be the trend in this decisive round after this turnaround? Alexander Zverev had to fight hard to win his last two faceoffs, a fact that Taylor Fritz can appreciate, saying that there is perhaps room to achieve the feat. The American begins the last set by serving first and the result: a shutout with three aces.
The scales start to tip at 2-2. The German gets three break points and the American must surpass himself to save them. Behind, the two players begin a series of rallies. It hits hard and at the end, after more than 10 minutes of play, it goes for Fritz. Who will have left feathers there? Well, neither, for now. Behind, the German also appears under tension on his serve at 4-3, but it also holds up.
The indecision is total, even though we feel that one side or the other could break down. There will have been opportunities on both sides to break, but a lack of lucidity will have gotten the better of both players. And it was obviously in the tie-break that this story had to end, after new opportunities for Zverev at 5-5.
There, while he seemed better physically at the end of the match, Zverev's mentality will falter. The latter made several unforced errors at the start of the decisive game, leaving Fritz to position himself at 4-1. Zverev pulls himself together on his two serves (4-3), but the American keeps his mini-break: three match points for the latter! With his back to the wall, the German cracks on the next point, seeing his opponent conclude with a final winning forehand.
This is the seventh victory for Taylor Fritz in 12 confrontations against Alexander Zverev, who may harbor regrets, especially after missing five break points in this last set. The American creates a sensation in this first semi-final of the ATP finals, inviting himself to the final in Turin in a very deserved manner.
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