Nitto ATP Finals News: Taylor Fritz defeats Alexander Zverev to reach final
By Lee Vowell
Taylor Fritz surely would not be able to keep up the level he had performed at in the first set of his semifinal match at the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals against Alexander Zverev. The American was landing more than 80 percent of his first serves and crushing his forehand at close to an average of 90 miles per hour. He finished off Zverev in the first set in a bit over 30 minutes. Still, he was playing at a level that was high for him, or anyone else.
Fritz's fortunes changed in the second set. He began to make more unforced errors and hit fewer winners while Zverev's bombastic metronomic serve was overwhelming the American. Fritz's form had dropped, but he was still playing well. The German was simply playing better.
Heading into the third set, each player had won a set at 6-3. Zverev appeared to have momentum, however. Still, the way both players were serving would likely have made for a tense and tight final set, and tennis fans were not disappointed.
Taylor Fritz takes out Alexander Zverev in instant classic at the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals
Each player had break points but neither was able to punch through. Fritz was trying to become the first American to reach the final of the ATP Finals since James Blake lost to Roger Federer in 2006. Zverev was trying to reach the final for the third time. He won the event in 2018 and 2021. If he won his third ATP Finals, he would be just the eighth man to do so.
Fatigue definitely was becoming an issue. Unlike most of the first two sets with their quick rallies, many rallies in the final set turned into endurance matches with brutal physicality. There were fewer aces by each player and more mental errors. Play was still at a ridiculously high level by both Fritz and Zverev, though, or each player would have had a much easier time.
Instead, each player somehow found a way to keep holding serve until a tie-break was needed. Fritz got an early mini-break and then got the last break to win the tie-break 7-3. The match was an instant classic that should be watched for years. It was played brilliantly on a hard court by both players.
Fritz will next face the winner of the other semifinal match between Jannik Sinner and Casper Ruud. Should Sinner win, he will have a chance to take home the $4.9 million prize for being an undefeated champion. After watching Fritz beat Zverev on Saturday, however, whoever wins Sinner versus Ruud will not have an easy match.