Jannik Sinner of Italy is to face
Taylor Fritz of America in the finals of the season-ending ATP
Finals final in Turin.
The world number one and Australian and US champion beat world
number seven Casper Ruud of Norway 6-1 6-2 in Saturday night's
second semi-final and will take on world number five Fritz who
earlier Saturday beat world number two Alexander Zverev of
Germany in a third-set tire-break.
Sinner, who lost last year's final in Turin to Serb great Novak
Djokovic, is the heavy favourite to beat Fritz having beaten him
in straight sets in the group stage, as well as in the US Open
final.
Fritz has only neaten Sinner once, in 2021 at Indian Wells.
The 22-year-old South Tyrolean, who is facing a possible drugs
ban for steroid use he says was accidental, has yet to drop a
set in the northern Italian city.
"Like last year we're in the final and we'll try again, trying
to do better this time," said Sinner after his semi against
Ruud.
"But apart from tomorrow's result it has been a week full of
emotion and beautiful moments".
The final starts at 18:00 Italian time, with over 12,000
spectators expected to mostly cheer Sinner on.
Sinner-mania has overtaken Turin with sales of red caps booming
and his 'carrot-top fans' set to root for their flame-headed
hero.
French sports daily L'Equipe on Sunday called Sinner "The
Sinnerminetor".
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