Jannik Sinner has reached the final of the ATP Finals for the second year in a row, making a season that is destined to remain in tennis history even more memorable. The world number 1 will close 2024 with more than 90% of wins, a statistic that certifies his impressive growth in the last twelve months.
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Jannik's level is really incredible right now and his margin over all opponents is huge. The 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria reached the final in Turin without losing a single set and without ever giving the feeling of being in difficulty.
The 2-time Grand Slam champion gave a severe lesson to Casper Ruud in the semifinals, electrifying his fans and giving yet another show of strength in this splendid year. The Italian ace will try to win the title against Taylor Fritz, already defeated both in the US Open final and in the group stage here in Turin.
Jannik is looking to win his eighth title in 2024 and is already certain to remain at the top of the ATP rankings even after the 2025 Australian Open. The world No. 1 will have to defend his title in Melbourne next January, but he will have less pressure knowing he can retain his leadership.
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The rise of the Italian player has had a great impact in his country, which has begun to appreciate tennis more and follow his matches in every corner of the world.
After his match against Ruud yesterday, the crowd at the ATP Finals dedicated a beautiful chant to Sinner to pay tribute to him.
A clear favorite
Bookmakers consider Jannik to be the clear favorite in the final, against a player who is playing his best tennis this week. Fritz is much less complete than the world number 1, as he already showed in their clash a few days ago.
"I felt I was returning well in the first games of each set and then when going up a break I tried to be very concentrated with service games, Sinner said after his win over Ruud. I tried to be intense with each shot and I'm very happy with the performance and to be in the final again."
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Jannik is ready to face Fritz again: "It's a very similar circumstance to last year as we have already played in the round-robin. I just try to play the best I can tomorrow. From last year to now I feel I have more experience and have grown as a player. Hopefully it will be a good day after a very positive week and a very positive year."
For the first time since Ivan Lendl a player could win the ATP Finals without losing a set. The world number 1 suffered only two breaks in the entire tournament and gave the feeling of being truly unstoppable on this surface. The level of the Italian ace in recent months has impressed everyone, as well as his ability to remain consistent throughout the season.
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A few days ago, Daniil Medvedev explained that it will be very tough for all rivals in the coming years if Jannik continues to play this way.
"I think it's great. But I would wonder if he would live in Italy how it would be because he doesn't. It's a little bit easier. Yeah, I mean, I think he deserves it. Like everything: the contracts, advertisements, whatever. He's a good-looking No. 1 in the world, wins a lot of tournaments. Very young, which is always attractive," Medvedev explained.
"He's 23. He has maybe 13, 14 years ahead of him where he can play, play, win, win. So it's normal. I think he feels fine with it. So why should I be sorry for him?" he added.
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Another clash
Fritz will need one of the best performances of his entire career to overturn the prediction to start. The American ace's serve will have to be impressive for the duration of the match and he will not have to make many unforced errors. The world number 5 will not have much pressure and will be able to play calmly, but he is aware of how difficult the mountain to climb is.
TheUS Openfelt like I was kind of just trying to keep myself in with my serve, stay alive, win points by hitting big shots or playing off of his errors. Kind of just like not repeatable, consistent ways to win points, Fritz said before the huge clash in Turin.
The match we played here. I felt much more comfortable from the baseline. I had my chances in that match. I had chances to break him in both sets. He had an equal amount of chances, and he took his. He played the big points better than I did in the group stage match he concluded.
