Nitto ATP Finals News: Jannik Sinner dispatches Casper Ruud to reach the final

Jannik Sinner should have won the Nitto ATP Finals last year, most likely. He was beginning his ascent to being the top player on the ATP tour, and he had gone unbeaten all the way to the final. He had also defeated Novak Djokovic in the round-robin stage and only needed to beat him again to finish off his run at the 2023 ATP Finals.

He couldn't. The Serb defeated the Italian relatively easily in straight sets 6-3 6-3. It was a learning lesson for Sinner. Even when playing well, he cannot take anything for granted.

Oddly, as good as Sinner and the Italian's semifinal opponent, Casper Ruud, have been over the last several years, the two had only met twice and not at all since 2021. Sinner had won both meetings between the two players ahead of Saturday's semifinal match, but both Ruud and Sinner have improved in the last three years.

Jannik Sinner defeats Casper Ruud to set up ATP Finals final showdown between Sinner and Taylor Fritz

Still, No. 1 ranked Sinner might be becoming the best returner in tennis, and he is among the greatest movers on the court. He can seemingly chase down any ball hit his way and then return it with pace and placement few players are capable of doing. Ruud knew going into the match that he might not only have to hit one or two seeming winners during a point, but four or five. That is a tough task.

The first set was a masterclass by Sinner. He won more points off of Ruud's serve than the Norwegian did. There is nothing more demoralizing than that. The Italian took the set with a mix of brilliant shot control and pinpoint serving.

Ruud elevated his play in the second set. If he landed his first serve in, he was usually a winner. He struggled with his second serve, though. Sinner almost always took advantage. At 2-all, Ruud traded off landing first serves, and it eventually cost him and Sinner got the break. From there, the Italian simply needed to hold serve which he did somewhat easily to take the set and win the match 6-1 6-2.

Sinner will next play Taylor Fritz in the Nitto ATP Finals. Should the Italian win, he will earn nearly $4.9 million by becoming an unbeaten champion. He has already beaten Fritz once in the round-robin stage, but Sinner will remember he defeated Djokovic in the round-robin stage last year and then lost in the final. Jannik Sinner will not want to repeat that in 2024 with a loss to Fritz.

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