ATP Finals: Jannik Sinner demolishes Casper Ruud to arrange title showdown towards Taylor Fritz | Tennis Information

World No 1 Jannik Sinner demolished Casper Ruud 6-1 6-2 to arrange a title showdown towards Taylor Fritz on the ATP Finals in Turin.

Sinner placed on a present on Saturday night time to finish the hopes of Ruud and arrange one other match with American Fritz – the participant he beat within the US Open ultimate and once more within the group stage right here on Tuesday.

“I felt like I was returning really well in the first game and when I went up a break I tried to be really concentrated with the service games,” stated Sinner throughout his on-court interview.

“I was a couple of break points down in the first set and then fortunately I managed to get through. I raised my level and tried to be quite intense with it. I’m happy with my performance and happy to be in the final.

“Very related circumstances as a result of we [Taylor Fritz] already performed within the round-robin format and can play once more within the ultimate.

“I simply attempt to play one of the best I can tomorrow. Something can occur. I am simply glad to be again right here. I’ve grown as a participant since final 12 months.

“It’s been a very positive week and year so I’m really happy.”

‘A demolition job’

“An absolute ball-striking masterclass from Jannik Sinner. Just his level of play, the consistency, the quality, giving a world-class player like Ruud absolutely no chance,” stated Tim Henman on Sky Sports activities Tennis.

“Just a complete demolition in an hour and six minutes.

“Simply filled with confidence going into tomorrow’s ultimate towards Taylor Fritz.”

Story of the Tape

Fritz outlasts Zverev to succeed in ATP Finals title match

Fritz grew to become the primary American in 18 years to e book his place within the finals after beating world No 2 Alexander Zverev 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-3) in a tense semi-final showdown.

Fritz dominated the primary set with ease however Zverev fought again laborious within the second to take the match the space.

The pair exchanged some gorgeous rallies, the longest being 32 pictures, throughout a thriller of a contest which went right into a deciding set tie-break.

Fritz, 27, obtained forward early and completed Zverev off with an audacious inside-out forehand winner on his first match level to change into the primary American finalist on the elite eight-man occasion since James Blake misplaced the 2006 ultimate to Roger Federer.

The final American to win the trophy was Pete Sampras in 1999.

“I mean it was tough in the second and the third set,” stated Fritz, who surprisingly matched Zverev from the baseline all through an enthralling match. “I think I played an almost perfect first set, things felt great but things can change so quickly when you’re playing someone like Sascha [Alexander Zverev].

“Once I was making an attempt to be aggressive, I did not really feel prefer it was doing a lot so I simply informed myself to be strong and struggle and provides him nothing.

“A big thing is that I trust my game and my level and I don’t feel uncomfortable and I play the top guys at big events. I’m really confident in my game.

“I really feel just like the final couple of instances I’ve performed him, I’ve felt actually good in that sample. I really like my backhand and I do not need to change my recreation based mostly on who I’m taking part in.

“I had that belief I could hang in that rally and I wanted to be aggressive. I think I want to play exactly like I played in the first set [in the final].”

Henman: Fritz has gone up a stage

“It was an amazing match. Fritz started off so well, served impressively and Zverev looked frustrated,” stated Henman.

“In the second set we saw a change as Zverev built some scoreboard pressure but then in the third set, from start to finish, it was so close.

“They have been entering into these unimaginable backhand exchanges. It was such effective margins as to why Fritz got here out on high.

“Even in the last couple of months, Fritz has gone up a level and he’s learnt so much about himself and he has trusted himself to be aggressive.

“There have been a number of moments the place I do not assume Sascha took that ahead step and performed on his phrases. He obtained a bit passive on the forehand within the tie-break and I do not assume that is one thing he did not know already.

“I think he can win a Slam but if he plays like that he won’t. He needs to be prepared to take it on.”

Story of the Tape

What’s occurring Sunday on the ATP Finals on Sky Sports activities Tennis?

• World No 1 Jannik Sinner is thru to his ninth ATP Tour ultimate this 12 months as he makes it back-to-back finals in Turin. He has gained 25 out of his final 26 matches.

• The highest seed can be the primary participant to succeed in the ultimate with out dropping a set since file seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in 2018.

• The Italian will tackle Taylor Fritz who can be seeking to change into the primary American winner of the season-ending extravaganza because the legendary Pete Sampras gained the title in 1999.

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