By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday November 16, 2024
Taylor Fritz is hoping to do the unthinkable in opposition to the unplayable on Sunday in Turin.
That’s the setup for the American, who will bid to grow to be the primary man from his nation to win an ATP Finals since Pete Sampras in 1999 when he meets World No.1 and closely favourite Jannik Sinner within the remaining.
Sinner has taken maintain of his head-to-head in opposition to Fritz in 2024, defeating the American within the US Open remaining in three uncomplicated units after which knocking him off in spherical robin play earlier this week in Turin, 6-4, 6-4.
Fritz is now 1-3 with three consecutive losses in opposition to Sinner however he believes he’s making strides in opposition to the Italian even when he has misplaced the final six units the pair have contested and not using a single tiebreak.
On Saturday, after knocking off World No.2 Alexander Zverev within the semifinals, Fritz instructed reporters that his 6-4, 6-4 defeat by the hands of Sinner earlier within the week was rather a lot nearer than it seemed.
“I felt way more comfy from the baseline,” he stated of the loss. “I had my possibilities in that match. I had possibilities to interrupt him in each units. He had an equal quantity of possibilities, and he took his. He performed the large factors higher than I did within the group stage match.
The loss was a step up from his 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 loss to Sinner in Flushing Meadows in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
A US Open remaining rematch…Predictions?#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/Oql98zO3si
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 16, 2024
“It did not really feel wherever close to as one-sided because the Open,” Fritz stated. “I felt just like the match for me felt nearer than identical to 4 and 4. Like I stated, he performed the large factors higher. He is the very best participant on the planet. He is enjoying with numerous confidence. That is one thing that you must anticipate from him, to play the large factors rather well.
“I’ve made numerous enhancements in my recreation. For me on the US Open, the most important factor was that I simply did not actually play nice. I did not serve nice. If I do not serve properly, it units up the remainder of my recreation for failure, I would say.
This time round, Fritz says he doesn’t want to vary a lot. He merely must rise to the event.
“The best way I performed in opposition to him within the group stage was the proper option to play,” he stated. “I feel if I serve a bit higher within the two video games I obtained damaged, actually play one or two factors higher within the return recreation the place I had my possibilities, it might be a unique match. Clearly that is an enormous ask as a result of he is enjoying the large factors extremely properly.
“However I would not change something. I actually consider the match within the group stage was nearer than you would possibly assume by simply trying on the rating.”