After skipping it a year ago, Taylor Fritz is returning to the ATP Finals. The 27-year-old American will likely wrap up the season in the top-5 for the first time in a career, earning 49 victories in 2024 and lifting two trophies. Fritz is eager to make a noise in Turin for the second time, passing the round-robin stage in 2022 and falling to Novak Djokovic in the semi-final after a thriller. Taylor praised Jannik Sinner and labeled him a deserved year-end no. 1 player. Also, the American revived their US Open final from two months ago, battling for a notable title in front of the home crowd but suffering a loss. Fritz admitted he learned a lot about his game from that defeat, understanding better what improvements he has to make to challenge the rivals from the top.
Taylor loses his first Major final to Jannik
Fritz embraced a great run at Majors in 2024, reaching the Australian Open and Wimbledon quarter-final before going further at home in New York. Taylor prevailed over Frances Tiafoe after a notable comeback, moving into his first Major final at 27. World no. 1 Jannik Sinner stood on the other side of the net and proved too strong, earning a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 victory in two hours and 16 minutes for his second Major crown of the season. The Italian served at 51% and drew the most from that, barely losing a point behind the first serve and fending off five of seven break chances.
Fritz needed more than two return games to remain competitive, landing ten aces but struggling behind the first and second serve in the most important duel of his career. The home favorite dropped 42% of the points in his games and suffered six breaks from 12 break chances presented to world no. 1. Taylor had an opportunity to prolong the battle, leading 5-3 in the third set but losing ground and dropping four straight games to finish runner-up. They hit the same number of forced errors. The Italian tamed the other elements more efficiently, finishing with more direct points than mistakes and welcoming almost 40 loose strokes from the other side. Jannik built a slight advantage in the shortest and most advanced rallies while forging the most significant gap in the mid-range ones.
Sinner makes a reliable start
Fritz landed in 38% of the first serve in the opening set, which was insufficient to keep him in contention. Sinner grabbed over half of the return points and delivered three breaks from seven chances while getting broken once. Taylor missed a smash in the first game of the encounter, losing serve and falling behind. Jannik wasted a game point at 2-1 and netted a forehand drive-volley on the third break point to drop serve and bring his rival back to the positive side. The American saved a break point in the fifth game before facing more issues at 3-3. He hit a double fault and dropped serve at 15 after a forced error. World no. 1 held with a service winner for 5-3 and delivered another break in game nine after Fritz's backhand error for 6-3 in 41 minutes.
Jannik goes two sets to love in front
Taylor served at 78% in the second set, improving his chances. However, he struggled after missing it, losing serve in the crucial moment and falling two sets to love behind. Jannik served well and kept the pressure on the other side, seeking a break that would send him further in front. World no. 1 held at 15 in the seventh game with a forced error, and the home favorite followed that in the next one for 4-4. Sinner presented another comfortable hold for 5-4 and made a push on the return in game ten. Fritz cracked under pressure and missed a backhand to offer his opponent two set points. Jannik drew Taylor's mistake after an extended exchange on the first, building a massive 6-3, 6-4 advantage after an hour and 16 minutes and putting one hand on the trophy. The Italian played against three break points in the first game of the third set, denying them and avoiding an early setback.
Sinner seals the deal after a comeback in set number three
Facing the exit door, Fritz denied two break points in the sixth game of the third set, firing a forehand winner and locking the result at 3-3. The home favorite landed a volley winner in the seventh game for two break chances and converted the first after the rival's double fault. Taylor held after a deuce in the eighth game, landing an ace and opening a 5-3 advantage. Sinner served to stay in the set in the ninth game and closed it at 15 following the rival's backhand mistake. Fritz served for the set at 5-4 and cracked under pressure, facing a break point after a forced error and losing serve after a volley error at the net. Jannik secured the 11th game after causing the rival's mistake, forcing Taylor to serve to stay in the match. The American lost the ground and experienced the second straight break. He faced match points after a terrible forehand drive-volley and netted a forehand on the first, allowing the Italian to rattle off four games and lift his second Major trophy at 23.
"It's great to be back in Turin two years after my debut. Competing at the ATP Finals is always one of the most important goals of the season. Jannik is the world's best player and deserves to stand above everyone else. It was an honor to compete against him in a Major final. He demonstrated his skills against me in the US Open title clash. I learned a lot from that match, literally too much. I'm now more aware of how I must improve my game to challenge players like him," Taylor Fritz said.
