World No. 1 and home favourite Jannik Sinner defeated American Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 at Turin to become the first Italian to win the ATP Finals title. 

After losing to Novak Djokovic in the previous season’s final round, Sinner did not make a mistake this time around to earn the $4,881,500 prize money, finishing the match without dropping a set.

In a social media post, Sinner expressed his gratitude by stating: “Grazie Torino!!!! 🏆💪🏻💪🏻💚🤍❤️”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jannik Sinner (@janniksin)

Highlights of the match 

The 23-year-old Sinner took a 4-3 lead in the finals after breaking Fritz’s serve with a stunning drop shot. He then scored the first ace of the match. 

Moreover, after sending a forehand long in the second set, Fritz– the first American to make it to the finals since James Blake in 2006– also dropped serve, allowing Sinner to win the match in 85 minutes. 

After his victory, Sinner said: “It’s amazing. Just an amazing week. For me, it’s a first title in Italy, so it means so much to me. I’m very happy about that, it’s very special.” 

He added: “I just try to understand what works best for each opponent, try to play the best tennis possible. That was the key, I played a high-level tournament from my side. At times I couldn’t play better, so I’m very happy.” 

Sinner, who faced doping allegations this season, is the first player to win the ATP Finals without losing a set since Ivan Lendl in 1986. This is also his 70th victory of the year. 

Fritz will place fourth in the rankings for the first time in his career despite his loss. The athlete declared: “I just want to say congrats to Jannik and his team. Insane year, honestly. It’s really impressive… Thank you to my team and putting up with me. It’s been a great week for me. I felt the love all week long.” 

Source: CNA

In an exciting China Open final, world no. 1 Jannik Sinner was defeated by rising athlete Carlos Alcaraz after falling behind in the first set. 

The young athlete maintained his excellent playing form against the Italian, and has now won all three of their matches with a performance record of 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 7-6 (7-3). Overall, the Spaniard has won 16 career titles, including four on the ATP Tour this year. 

With his win, Alcaraz admitted: “Jannik once again showed he’s the best player in the world, he’s unbelievable and plays at such a high level of tennis… I had my chances in the first set and didn’t take it. In general, I’m proud of the way I dealt with the match and managed everything.”

He added: “I never lose hope but I know he has great stats. I knew I had to give everything I had to give myself the opportunity.” 

In a social media post, the athlete shared:  “very special 🏆 to end the week after a huge battle with @janniksin! 🤝🏻 Very proud and happy! ❤️”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Carlos Alcaraz Garfia (@carlitosalcarazz)

Highlights of the match 

After a shocking second-round loss at the US Open, Alcaraz has recovered and won nine straight games including the Laver Cup last month with Team Europe. 

When the athlete took a 5-2 lead in the first set, it appeared that Alcaraz had an ideal start. However, Sinner bounced back and saved two set chances to have a tie-break. The third game had been the turning point as Alcaraz took advantage of a break and went on to serve out the set. 

Sinner overcame and won three straight games to have a match-ending tiebreaker. After taking a 3-0 lead, it seemed that Sinner was well-controlled, but Alcaraz was unstoppable. Taking his third straight triumph, he defeated the two-time Grand Slam champion with seven consecutive points. 

With Alcaraz leading a head-to-head match with a score of 6-4, it was another excellent demonstration of what the Beijing tennis scene has to offer for the future of tennis. More so, this victory allowed Alcaraz to become the first athlete to win an ATP 500 title on each of the three surfaces. 

Source: BBC

The world number one Jannik Sinner easily defeated Taylor Fritz to win the US Open and complete the year with two Grand Slam victories. 

Sinner, who captured his maiden major championship in January at the Australian Open, won 6-3 6-4 7-5 despite a late surge by American 12th seed Fritz. This victory happened just 19 days after it was reported that, in March, he had twice tested positive for a prohibited substance and had been cleared of all charges.

In a social media post, the athlete said: “Incredibly special to win my second slam title here after a great two weeks. Thank you for all the support, it means so much. I love this sport and it means everything to me, time to enjoy this moment with my team and my family before we get back to work for the end of the year 👊🏼. The work never stops, we keep pushing.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jannik Sinner (@janniksin)

Highlights of the match 

Fritz had a rough start in the first game as he dropped service in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. The 26-year-old bounced back nicely to win three straight games, but he kept making mistakes when serving, and Sinner took advantage to win the first game. 

Fritz improved and made the second set closer, dropping just two points in four service games. But Sinner then demonstrated why he was the best in the world by stepping up his game, striking the winning blow as Fritz served to tie the set at 5-4.

After missing three early third-set breakpoint opportunities, Fritz enthralled the crowd with two spectacular winners to break for a 4-3 lead and save his hopes. But after two hours and sixteen minutes, Sinner put an end to Fritz’s hopes by breaking back just as he was about to serve for the set, and then winning the next two games.

Sinner making history 

Sinner has become the first player to win his first two Grand Slam titles in the same season since Guillermo Vilas in 1977. Furthermore, he is the first Italian man to win Flushing Meadows’ singles championship.

Sinner and his alleged use of illegal drugs 

It was reported by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that Sinner was unintentionally tainted by his physiotherapist and was, therefore, not at fault or negligent for the adverse tests.

Source: BBC

Before the ATP finals, only two players of the younger generation had the prestige of beating the undisputed GOAT of tennis, Novak Djokovic, and that belonged to Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz.

In the final of the Paris Masters last year, Rune, then only 19 years of age, achieved a remarkable victory over Novak Djokovic, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, to secure his first title at the Masters 1000 tournament. 20-year-old Alcaraz, on the other hand, stunned Djokovic  1-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 3-6 6-4  in an epic final showdown at Wimbledon.

And now, at the ATP finals, Jannik Sinner joined the exclusive club, when he upset Djokovic at the Pala Alpitour.

Sinner defeats Djokovic

Prior to the start of the season-ending tournament, Sinner said he was looking forward to the match against Djokovic because, in his opinion, it would give him an idea of where his skills are currently at.

“Djokovic will tell me where I am…I hope to meet him as soon as possible, already in the group, these are the important games for growth, the ones for which I say ‘I win or I learn,” Sinner said via Corriere.

Sinner put on an astounding performance in the first set, winning it 7-5 in front of the home crowd. But the second set turned out to be a little more difficult since Djokovic was likewise unwavering. 

Djokovic won the second set and escaped a close call with a score of 6-7. 

But in the third set, Sinner, who looked like he was on fire, won again, 7-6 to give the Italian crowd a match that’s one for the ages.

As soon as he won the last point, Sinner broke into a wide smile and put his hands up in the air in celebration.

The last 3 players to beat Novak Djokovic:

Holger Rune.

Carlos Alcaraz.

Jannik Sinner.

The New Gen has arrived. pic.twitter.com/RNwBzHBo4K

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 14, 2023

In a post-match interview, Sinner stated that there was no more beautiful place to defeat the first-ranked player in the world. Additionally, Sinner acknowledged that the support of the crowd was a key factor in his success and that the match was a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

This victory marked Sinner’s first win against Djokovic.

Read More News

Doubles players Krejcikova and Siniakova to end decade-long journey

Cover Photo: IG

Having just reached his first ATP final, Alcaraz’s fans were eager to see how he would fare in the tournament.

However, after his first-round defeat to Alexander Zverev, there were doubts about Alcaraz’s ability to dominate the tournament. 

This loss further highlighted the fact that Alcaraz was still in a slump. After his sensational Wimbledon final performance, the Spaniard has not won a title since.

Alcaraz puts doubts to rest

But eventually, the Spaniard was able to put those doubts to rest when he snatched his first win at the finals against Andrey Rublev with a straight set victory of 7-5, 6-2. 

He then followed this up with a  6-4, 6-4 win over the world’s third-ranked player, Daniil Medvedev.

As a result, Alcaraz was able to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament, replicating Nadal’s performance in 2006 and thus becoming the youngest semi-finalist in ATP history.

Carlos Alcaraz just became the youngest semifinalist at the ATP Finals since Rafa Nadal in 2006.

Following big footsteps. 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/pYXCAnkK4N

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 17, 2023

Both Nadal and Alcaraz followed a similar pattern throughout the tournament: they both lost their opening match but recovered swiftly to win their subsequent two games before facing the world’s top-ranked players in the semi-final.

Back then, Nadal faced former world No. 1 Roger Federer and, unfortunately, got ousted in the semi-finals.

For Alcaraz, he will be facing the strongest opponent in the tournament, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic. But the question is, will he also follow in the footsteps of Nadal and lose to Djokovic?

In this regard, the fans certainly hope not.

Alcaraz on facing Djokovic: I’m excited to face Novak

In a post-match interview, Alcaraz said he was looking forward to facing Djokovic in the semi-finals of the ATP. He also expressed his admiration for the Serb’s remarkable performance throughout the year.

Alcaraz’ statement via The Tennis Letter:

“It’s one of the most difficult challenges I’mgoing toa face. Facing Novak in ATP Finals, a tournament that he’s won 6 times. Obviously, Novak is Novak. He’s the best player in the world right now. He only lost 6 matches this year. That means he’s unbelievable. I’m gonna put my best tennis. I’m gonna enjoy. The same way I’ve been doing these last few matches. I’m excited to face Novak.”

Read More News

https://www.sportsry.com/tennis/alcaraz-follows-nadals-lead-makes-history-as-youngest-atp-semi-finalist/

Cover Photo: IG