FOR THE fourth consecutive time, American fifth seed Taylor Fritz found the key to victory over Alexander Zverev, advancing through to the ATP Finals decider in a three-set thriller. No matter how well Zverev has performed at times this year, Fritz has found the answer to the big-serving German and he did so once again in a 6-3 3-6 7-6 result.

The head-to-head between the two players reached fever-pitch this year. Zverev won in straight sets at Rome on clay to make it a 5-3 advantage his way. Since then, Fritz knocked the world number two out of both Wimbledon (Round of 16) and US Open (quarter finals) as well as winning at the Laver Cup, and now the ATP Finals.

In the match overnight, Fritz became the first player in Turin to break Zverev’s serve, hitting 32 winners with 15 aces to 10. His first serve was incredible, winning 85 per cent of his points off it (Zverev was 80 per cent). There was nothing to split the players with 97 points apiece, but in the end, Fritz stood up when it counted in the deciding set tiebreak, 7-3.

“I felt like I played an almost perfect first set, but things can change so quickly when you’re playing someone like Sascha,” Fritz said post-match. “I found myself in some tough spots in the third, when we both started to get on each other’s serves even more.

“When I was trying to be aggressive I didn’t feel like it was doing much. I just told myself at the end that I had to fight and be solid and tried to take care of my serve the best I could and give him absolutely nothing from the back.”

Regardless of the ATP Finals decider, Fritz will become the first American since James Blake to finish inside the Top 5 – rising up to fourth in the world – thanks to his run to the last match of the tournament.

“I trust my game and I trust my level,” Fritz said. “I don’t feel anywhere near as uncomfortable in these situations anymore because I’ve been putting myself in these situations against the top guys at big events a lot lately… I’m really confident in my game.”

Unlike the first epic battle, there was no such challenge for world number one Jannik Sinner who completely obliterated past ATP Finals runner-up Casper Ruud in just 69 minutes. The top seed won 6-1 6-2 in a dominant performance to remain unbeaten throughout the tournament and advance through to the decider.

Sinner served nine aces to one, and won 81 and 63 per cent of his first and second serve points, compared to Ruud’s 64 and 24 per cent. The Italian also broke four times from seven chances, while saving both break points he faced on his own serve.

While disappointing not to make the final, Ruud will end the year at number six which marks a strong season for the Norwegian.