World number one Jannik Sinner made history on Sunday by becoming the first Italian to win the ATP Finals title, defeating American Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in a commanding performance. The 23-year-old thrilled the home crowd with his dominant play, showcasing why he has been almost unstoppable this season.
Sinner, who narrowly missed the title last year after losing to Novak Djokovic, was flawless this time around. He remained undefeated throughout the tournament and did not drop a single set, earning an impressive $4,881,500 in prize money.
In a rematch of this year’s US Open final, Sinner broke Fritz’s serve with a deft drop shot to take a 4-3 lead in the first set. He sealed the opener with his tenth ace, demonstrating his powerful serve and precise play.
Fritz, marking a significant milestone as the first American to reach the final since James Blake in 2006, struggled to counter Sinner’s momentum. A forehand error in the second set gave Sinner the crucial break, allowing the Italian to clinch the match in just 85 minutes.
Sinner’s stellar year, despite being overshadowed by an anti-doping controversy, has been marked by remarkable achievements. He has won 26 of his last 27 matches and secured a tour-leading eight titles, solidifying his status among tennis’s elite.
With his 70th win of the season, Sinner also became the first player since Ivan Lendl in 1986 to win the ATP Finals without dropping a set. His historic victory is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication.
Despite the loss, Fritz will rise to a career-high fourth in the rankings when the new list is released on Monday, highlighting his significant progress this season.
Earlier in the day, the German duo of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz lifted the doubles title after edging out Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic 7-6(5), 7-6(6). They became the first German pair to win the tournament, adding another historic moment to the event.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
