ATP Finals: Taylor Fritz beats Alexander Zverev to reach final
French Open finalist Zverev advanced to the semi-finals without breaking serve in three group matches, but things changed against the inspired Fritz.
Although he saved Fritz’s first break point opportunity, he could only hit the net with a fierce forehand on the second break point, giving the U.S. a 4-2 lead.
Zverev was rattled and took just one point off Fritz’s serve for the rest of the first set.
After Zverev’s love break in the first game of the second set, Fritz’s serve took a dramatic turn when the referee ruled the ball had been touched twice before Zverev pounced.
The 27-year-old German asked for a review and after a long wait, with jeers and whistles ringing from the stands, it turned out that Zverev had touched the ball in time and the point was replayed.
Two games later, Zverev relied on a powerful forehand to get the break that decided the second set, but his backfoot performance prevented Fritz from returning to the net.
In the deciding set, having dropped just three points on serve in the first four games, Fritz, who reached his first Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open in September, won three consecutive racquets. A mistake resulted in a triple break point being handed to the opponent.
The American saved the first set with an ace, then forced Zverev into two errors to secure the match.
But as the serve continued, the pressure mounted on both players, knowing whoever could break serve would likely win the match.
Zverev had a tense game, saving three break points, but he was unable to convert two of his break points at 5-5 after Fritz led 40-15.
The German’s love-serve forced a tie-break, but Fritz took control of the game from there, taking a point from Zverev at the first opportunity and then converting a stunning cross-court finish on match point The forehand ensured his tour season would last one more day.
