Sinner Dominates to Reach ATP Finals Title Match Against Fritz
Jannik Sinner has his first ATP Finals crown firmly in his sights after crushing Casper Ruud 6-1, 6-2 on Saturday to set up a title decider with Taylor Fritz.
Roared on by a partisan home crowd in Turin, Sinner extended his winning streak to 10 matches with another dominating display, showcasing why he is the first Italian to top the ATP’s end-of-season world rankings.
Sinner barely gave Ruud time to breathe as he rattled off the first three games and took the first set in half an hour, before sweeping to a comprehensive victory.
The 23-year-old has reacted to losing last year’s final to Novak Djokovic by displacing the Serbian tennis icon at the top of the game, winning seven tournaments this season, including his first Grand Slam victories at the Australian and US Opens.
Fritz faces a challenging task to become the first American Finals winner since Pete Sampras 25 years ago, having been comfortably beaten both times he faced Sinner this year, including straight-set losses in the US Open final and the group stage in Turin.
However, Sinner’s year hasn’t been without controversy, as he has been under scrutiny following two positive tests for traces of the steroid clostebol in March. A World Anti-Doping Agency appeal against his initial exoneration has loomed since September, with WADA seeking a ban of up to two years.
Fifth-ranked Fritz is the first US man to make the final since James Blake in 2006 after a thrilling 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3) triumph over world No. 2 Alexander Zverev.
Fritz has a chance for revenge on Sinner for the US Open final defeat in September following a grueling match in northern Italy.
