Fritz once again tames Zverev to reach his first Masters final

Jannik Sinner's heir apparent was wary of the American. Rightly so. The latter had won their last three confrontations in 2024 (Wimbledon, US Open and Laver Cup). Taylor Fritz pushed the German to his limits in a particularly indecisive encounter. And he once again had the last word for a fourth consecutive success. Very efficient serving in the first set (5 aces and 95% of points won behind his firsts, no break point to put aside), the 5th in the world won in the 6th^e game of the only engagement poorly negotiated by the German. After returning the opponent's first ball, Fritz landed a cross counter with a forehand, which forced his opponent to make a mistake. The finalist of the last US Open logically won the first act (6-3).

Annoyed, the world number 2 was able to get back on track by stealing Fritz's serve during the fourth game of the second act on his second break point. After saving a break point in the seventh game, Zverev was able to maintain his lead to get back to one set everywhere (6-3). Having gained confidence, the recent winner of the Rolex Paris Masters resumed his march forward, buoyed by a very effective play (60% of points won behind his second serves).

On the back foot, Taylor Fritz, trailing 0-40 in the fifth game of the last set, snatched this tense service game. And Zverev, in turn, erased three break points in a following game, just as indecisive and disjointed. While he led 40-15 on his serve at 5-5, Fritz let three consecutive points slip away, before saving two break points with panache. The quality of the match going up a notch in the money time. And in the deciding game, it was a very solid Fritz who had the last word (7-3). The American, semi-finalist in 2022, will meet in the final on Sunday, either the Italian Jannik Sinner or the Norwegian Casper Ruud, who face each other this evening (8:30 p.m.). He becomes the first American since James Blacke in 2006 to reach the bottom of the Masters.