Fritz outlasts Zverev to reach title match

Taylor Fritz became the first American since 2006 to reach the title match at the ATP Finals after winning a slugfest against world No. 2 Alexander Zverev. The 27-year-old fought off numerous break points in a cliffhanger deciding set to win 6-3 3-6 7-6(3), ending a two-hour 20-minute duel with a stunning forehand winner. Fritz will face either home favourite and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner or Norway’s Casper Ruud in Sunday’s final.

Zverev had cruised through the group stage in majestic fashion and looked in the form to win the prestigious title for a third time, but his eight-match winning streak was ended by the resolute American who is ending the year on a high.

World No. 5 Fritz had won his previous three matches against Zverev and was the better player in the opening set. Zverev hit back though to set up a deciding set. “I felt like I played almost a perfect first set but it was tough in the second and third,” said Fritz. “I found myself in some tough spots in the third, both of us really started to get on each other’s serve even more. I told myself just to give him nothing from the back.”