UPDATE: In an electrifying start to the ATP Finals, last year’s runner-up Taylor Fritz has decisively defeated Italian Lorenzo Musetti with a score of 6-3, 6-4 at the Inalpi Arena in Turin. This victory marks a strong beginning for Fritz as he seeks to clinch the title this year.
Fritz’s performance was nothing short of dominant, showcasing his powerful service game as he secured his first round-robin match in the prestigious tournament. The match was the second in the Jimmy Connors Group, following Alex de Minaur‘s loss to top seed Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday.
The stakes are high as De Minaur is set to face Musetti on Tuesday, November 21, at 06:30 AM ADST. Both players are in desperate need of a win to keep their hopes alive for a place in the semi-finals.
Musetti, stepping in as a late replacement for seven-time champion Novak Djokovic, started the match on a high note but quickly began to falter. Despite a passionate home crowd cheering him on, he could not sustain his early momentum. The pivotal moment came during the third game when Fritz saved four break points, serving two aces in the process, and then broke Musetti to take a commanding 3-1 lead.
“I did a great job early on in the match to serve my way out of trouble and save some break points,” Fritz stated. “I’m really happy. I thought I did a lot of things really well.”
Musetti, who had just lost an exhausting final to Djokovic in Athens over the weekend, managed to fight back during the second set. However, two costly double faults in his service game gave Fritz the crucial break he needed. Fritz served an impressive nine aces in the second set, dominating the court and keeping the pressure on Musetti.
As Fritz served for the match, the crowd ignited with excitement when Musetti gained a 30-0 lead. However, Fritz responded with two aces to clinch the match and secure his first victory of the tournament. “The whole second set I played well and had a lot of chances to break that I didn’t get,” he added. “I’m really happy I was able to serve it out there and he didn’t come back to ruin it.”
Looking ahead, the energy at the ATP Finals remains high as local favorite Jannik Sinner prepares to defend his title against Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime later today. The atmosphere is sure to be electric as fans rally behind their players in this critical stage of the tournament.
Stay tuned for further updates as the ATP Finals continue to unfold, with each match crucial for players vying for championship glory.
