- Novak Djokovic beats Taylor Fritz with some difficulty 7: 6 (7: 5), 7: 6 (8: 6) in the semifinals of the ATP Finals in Turin.
- The Serb is in the final of the year-end tournament for the 8th time.
- In the final, Djokovic will face Casper Ruud.
Suddenly his previously shown dominance was gone: Novak Djokovic sometimes made a tired and at times unmotivated impression on Saturday afternoon.
It was still enough for a two-set victory over the American Taylor Fritz, who had slipped into the field after Carlos Alcaraz had canceled – thanks to some flashes of inspiration from Djokovic and thanks to some inexplicable mistakes by the 25-year-old Californian.
Fritz gives away possible set compensation
So Fritz was able to serve to win the set in the second round. When the score was 30:30, he hit a simple ball into the net – apparently irritated by an interjection, Djokovic then used his chance for a rebreak – and a little later, after almost two hours, he also won the second tiebreak of this match.
Fritz was the first player in Turin to break Djokovic twice. His equalizer to 4:4 in the first set, after having previously given up his service to zero, was particularly impressive. Overall, however, the American’s game lacked a real winning blow.
In contrast, Djokovic looked more for the decision in the rallies. For example in the tiebreak of the first set, which he won with a precise ball on the line. In both short decisions, the Serb’s greater routine seemed to be the deciding factor.
6. Title at your fingertips
This gives Djokovic the opportunity to win the ATP Finals for the first time since 2015 on Sunday. With his 6th success at the end of the year, he would draw level with record holder Roger Federer.